Ron glared up at the Dark Mark hanging above the trees, and wondered for the five hundred thousandth time whether he had made the right decision coming here. But there was no turning back now.

Any minute now the Death Eaters would surround Ron, followed by Voldemort himself. He had been a fool to believe Voldemort would trust him. Voldemort believed Ron would never switch sides, he'd been wrong.

There was an eerie whoosh as suddenly at least twenty Death Eaters created a circle around him. Ron was careful not to catch his old potion master's eye.

"The Traitor has done what I've asked," a voice hissed in his ear. "I am surprised you walked willingly to your death."

Ron had only assumed doing what Voldemort had asked him would be for not, and he forced himself to keep a straight face as Voldemort's fingers brushed against his cheek.

"I called you all here so you may watch what is about to happen, for this is a very momentous occasion."

Voldemort now circled in front of Ron. He fingered his wand, sliding it through his fingers playfully, almost showing off his power to Ron, who had none.

"You will all witness the traitor's death tonight."

Many of the Death Eaters laughed. Bellatrix's maniacal squeal was loudest. Ron made no reaction to this comment, he'd assumed as much. He knew it would have been hard to convince Voldemort.

"Will you try to fight, traitor?" Voldemort leered. "Are you weak enough to plead with me?"

At this, there was more laughter around Ron. It sickened him that he would have to succumb to it, but in a last ditch effort, he had to try to stay alive because there was always a chance no matter what pathetic thing you must do.

"My Lord," he began, he looked at the ground, at Voldemort's feet. "I have failed you. But I am not weak, I won't ask for mercy. I have failed you, and death is what I deserve."

"Too right you are, Weasley."

Ron looked up. Voldemort was grinning slyly, his slit-like eyes almost gleeful. Ron didn't move. He was preparing himself for what was coming. He had hoped his loyal answer and sacrifice might change Voldemort's mind, but of course Voldemort didn't care who lived or died; he never had.

Ron thought of his family, all eight of them. He could just picture his mother's face when she found out what Ron had chosen, the shock and betrayal.

He thought of Harry, who he had let down. Harry would never understand what Ron was about to do, why he wanted to become a Death Eater.

Then he thought of Hermione, and he had to squeeze his eyes shut. The last thing he said to her was in anger, a yell. She probably hated him. No, he couldn't think of them now, this was what he wanted, this was why he left them.

"He doesn't deserve death" Bellatrix screamed, "he deserves pain!"

A chorus of affirmation rang through the forest as many Death Eaters agreed with Bellatrix. Ron made no move. Was there possibly a chance of living after all?

"Perhaps," Voldemort hissed in response to the cackling Death Eaters, "we should have some fun before he dies?"

He didn't wait for a response, but shoved Ron to the ground. Ron grit his teeth as his knees hit the ground hard.

"I'm sorry master," Ron muttered. Voldemort just laughed.

"Crucio."

Pain like fire burned throughout his body and he fell to the ground. It felt as if he had been shocked, electrocuted, like tiny needles were scraping at the surface of his skin. He clawed at the ground in a failed attempt at distracting himself from the pain. But digging up dirt didn't lessen anything.

Eventually, Ron could tell that Voldemort had lifted the curse, but remnants of the pain still coursed through his body. He lay on the ground, panting, releasing the fist he had made. He opened his eyes and saw Voldemort's white feet inches from his face.

"Good," Voldemort said, "I want you to know you're dying."

At least dying would take away the pain, Ron thought through his ringing head. He heard Voldemort take a breath, ready to deliver the final curse, when:

"My Lord," a voice drawled behind Ron.

Ron shut his eyes, quietly cursing Snape for delaying his death.

"Ah Severus my slippery friend, you dare interrupt me during my pleasures?" Voldemort asked. Ron detected a hint of chagrin in Voldemort's voice.

"Might I make a suggestion?" Snape sneered.

Voldemort said nothing, but Ron could just imagine a look of annoyance on his face at being deprived of a murder for mere minutes. Snape continued on.

"We keep Weasley, use him to our advantage. He knows things I would never be able to find out. He wouldn't be a threat, and he never amounted to anything at Hogwarts so he wouldn't be able to escape."

Ron could think of a million things he wanted to do to Snape right about now, nevertheless, Snape was miraculously saving his life.

"A tempting point Severus," Voldemort said. His feet walked up near Ron's head. "Why not test your theory then, see how loyal the traitor really is?"

Suddenly, Voldemort had grabbed hold of Ron's hair and pulled, forcing him into a sitting position. Ron grunted in pain as hairs were pulled from his scalp. His head swam as he sat up quickly.

"Tell me Traitor," Voldemort said gently, "tell me where Harry Potter is."

"Looking for Horcruxes," Ron said without hesitation. He knew he had to do whatever it took to get on Voldemort's side, to make his allegiance known.

Voldemort gasped behind him, and let go of his hair. Ron smirked to himself. When had anyone ever surprised Voldemort this much? It was quiet for a long time. So long, that for a second, Ron had thought Voldemort had left, but then he felt a wand to the side of his head.

"I won't threaten you Weasley, just know the consequences of those before you, those who weren't as loyal," Voldemort whispered in his ear. Then there was a crack and he was gone.

Ron felt the eeriness that meant the rest of the Death Eaters had flown with Voldemort. A hand grabbed the back of Ron's robes and pulled. Ron stood, and came face to face with Snape.

"You'd better be grateful Weasley," Snape spat. "And don't try anything, or you'll wish you had just died."

And with that he Disapparated, while clutching Ron tightly.