Greyback wasn't permitted into the manor during the Death Eater's meeting. He was told to remain outdoors, where all mangy dogs belong. The Carrow siblings had so politely told him as they disappeared into the great manor together. The evening was chilly, despite the impending arrival of summer. A mist hung over the grounds over the Malfoy's estate. Even Lucius's favored white peacocks were absent. When Yaxley arrived, he told Greyback to bury a bone in the backyard and piss on a tree. To which Greyback muttered quietly,
"It will be your bones I bury out here. After I peel the flesh from them with my fangs."
Above, the moon glittered, ducking in and out of the faint clouds. With the moon half lit, it cast long, dark shadows against the siding of the manor. The other snatchers that gathered here earlier had moved off, apparating or going on foot away from the estate. The only one that remained was Scabior.
"You're in a right foul mood tonight ain't ya?" He commented while cleaning grit from under nails with a sharpened blade. "I mean more so than usual, that is."
Greyback growled softly, but didn't reply. He paced slowly back and forth in front of a large window that peered into an empty drawing room.
"C'mon, let's go join the others. Some muggle towns aren't too far from here. It's late. Might be some rotten kids out looking fer some trouble. Why don't we go give it to 'em?"
"I'm busy." Greyback finally said. His eyes constantly scanned the windows to the manor. Searching. Waiting.
"They'll be in there a while I reckon." Scabior continued, seemingly unaware of Greyback's desire to be left alone. He sauntered closer to him. "Hey, I know a place where a pretty little thing hangs out to smoke at night. Why don't you and I-"
A wild snarl ripped through Greyback's throat as he rounded on Scabior with his fangs bared. His eyes flashed white with fear and he stumbled back and fell.
"Fine. Fine." Scabior rose up and backed away. "I'll catch up with you later then." Without waiting for a reply, he walked quickly away from the manor. Once far enough away, he vanished with a distant pop.
Greyback leaned against a tree and gazed up at the moon.
"Only one 'pretty, little thing', I want tonight." He muttered under his breath.
…
Hours passed. Draco threw open the door to the back gardens and stumbled down the steps and fell into the dewy grass. Charity's corpse, her lifeless eyes had fallen to him, empty, forever. It gripped him in an icy vice. He could have recovered from it after locking himself in his bedroom and falling deeply asleep, until The Dark Lord commanded Nagini to devour all that remained of her. Seconds after being dismissed he bolted away and came out here as the Death Eaters started leaving, apparating away. His mother tried to grab for his jacket as he moved but she missed him.
Draco rose up off the ground, trembling slightly as he did. He crossed his arms and shivered at the night chill and tossed a look over his shoulder, hoping nobody had seen his outburst in the garden. He wasn't ready to go back inside. His feet carried him past the hedges, deeper into the back, seeking solace. None of the comforts of the garden made him feel better. At least out here it was quiet. At least out here nobody could see him, sneer at him. He had enough of that during the meeting. But he firmly pressed his lips together and kept his eyes on the table. His failed mission was dangerous enough. And his family dropped their defense.
The hair rose up on the back of Draco's neck as a shadow fell down upon him. Before he could react, a huge hand clamped down around his mouth, and the other pinned his arms at his sides, pulling him tightly against his assailant.
"Evening, sweet one." A sinister, familiar voice whispered at his ear, "out for a moonlight stroll? I'll give you some company."
Draco's heart skipped a beat and like a young colt, he bucked forward and tried to twist himself out of Greyback's grip. The werewolf responded with a low chuckle against Draco's neck.
"Keep fighting me. I like a bit of fire to get me going."
Draco grazed his teeth on Greyback's hand, hoping to have him tear his hand away to he could scream for help. He recoiled when he tasted a coppery tang on his skin. His stomach lurched.
"You're not my first tonight, little one." Greyback said. "If you bite me, I will bite you back. Far harder. If you scream for help- Well, I'll just laugh at you. I watched you come outside. When you did, I waited for you to come closer. I placed a charm over this area. It doesn't matter how hard or loud you scream. Nobody will hear you."
Draco trembled and bowed his head. His fingers still trying to pry away Greyback's arm. He tried to speak to him, but the hand muffled everything. Cautiously, Greyback peeled his hand off.
"Why me?" Draco's voice shook. He was already fighting back terrified tears. He couldn't get his body to stop trembling. Greyback pushed his nose against Draco's neck and hair, winding his scent deeply. His tongue snaked out and licked the shell of Draco's ear. Draco grimaced and squirmed.
"You are prey, Draco. You are my prey. My pretty, little prey. I dream of the moonlit night I can sink my teeth into your throat and hear your screams fill the silence. After all, He did reward me with you."
Draco froze, not believing the werewolf's words.
"What?"
"The Dark Lord has gifted you to me. To punish you for your failure. To punish poor mommy and daddy Malfoy of their disloyalty.
"No way!" Draco cried.
"He did. He promised me. I didn't want you to flee when you knew. I wanted you all to myself, to savor like a forbidden treat."
A dark shape dashed across the lawn near the house. A cascade of blond hair was visible in the dark.
"Draco?" Lucius's voice called out, his tone trying to hide his own fear. Another darker shape with dark hair swept by him. Snape.
"Father!" Draco shouted before Greyback clamped his hand back down over his mouth. Violently, Draco twisted in his grip, fighting to escape, especially when he saw his father turn towards them, bolting with Snape in stride, drawing his wand. Greyback lied about the silencing charm.
"Draco!" He shouted.
"Time to ruin you." Greyback growled, his claws digging into Draco's shoulders. With a sickening grin flashed at Lucius, Greyback disapparated from the grounds, taking Draco with him.