AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 43

Voldemort's red eyes slightly brightened as he watched Pettigrew walk into his throne room with a very red headed boy that he knew. Ronald Weasley, one of the members of the famous Golden Trio at Hogwarts. Harry Potter's best friend. So it was he that disrupted the wards. The question in his head though was 'Why?'

"Bow to the Dark Lord!" Pettigrew seethed as he threw Ron hard on the stone floor, a few feet away in front of the Dark Lord.

"Now, now. That is no way to treat our guest," Voldemort said as he stood up from his throne chair and walked down the short steps to stand directly in front of Ron. He looked into Ron's eyes as his eyes met his. The familiar look of pure hatred was evident. He knew the look all too well. "Fetch our guest a drink and some food," he commanded at Pettigrew.

Pettigrew's eyes widened in shock. He thought that his leader would kill Ron instantly. Apparently, he was wrong. He wanted to question why, but decided to hold his tongue. If he was going to question Voldemort again, like he had done times before, he would receive another Crucio, no doubt. So, he scampered away to the kitchens.

"Stand Ronald Weasley," Voldemort said. He then stuck his hand out right hand to Ron, palm side down. "Kiss the ring."

Ron hesitated for a moment, but then did as he was told. He held Voldemort's hand in both his hands, and felt that it was cold, like he was touching someone dead. After he kissed the ring, he stood up straight, with his chest out.

Voldemort smirked at the boy's courage. He clearly wasn't frightened of him. There was not an ounce of nervousness that he could see. "Why is it that you have come to me Ronald?" he asked curiously.

"I have come to join you, and become a Death Eater," Ron answered clearly.

Voldemort chuckled evilly at Ron's answer. "Are you serious?" He then snapped back to his cold and stiff ways and then said, "You had better not be fooling around with me boy! If you are a spy for the Order like Snape, then you just walked into your death!"

"I am not a spy, nor am I a member of the Order, yet. I have come here on my own, willingly."

"I will use Legimency on you," Voldemort informed Ron.

"I have nothing to hide," Ron said.

Voldemort walked up the steps and stuck his wand out towards Ron and then said, "Legilimens!"

Memories of what had happened over the previous days flashed randomly at him. He saw that the boy wanted Hermione for himself, but she didn't want him. She was involved with someone else. He even saw the night when she had been shoved to the floor, and called a whore. The rebelliousness of Ron was coming out strongly. Everyone else was against him, even his parents, and Harry himself. He felt the hatred that Ron felt. The revenge to get back at everyone and to claim Hermione as his own. He also felt the boy's jealousy of the other two, and everyone else was well.

"Interesting," Voldemort said as he pulled back, sounding very amused. "Tired of being the outcast among the three, and being ignored? Tired of being treated like your stupid?"

"I am not stupid!" Ron snapped.

"I didn't say that you were. It is they who are stupid."

"All of them," Ron muttered.

"You are also interested in the Mudblood friend of yours I see," Voldemort pointed out. "Shame really, since you are a pure-blood. Nonetheless, why is it that you chose to come here and join me?"

"Like you said, tired this and tired that."

"And wanting revenge I might add."

"Yes sir."

"You feel as if you were betrayed, and backstabbed. What is it though that you can do for me?"

"I can become your spy," Ron answered. "I may not be a member of the Order, but I will be soon, in a few months or so, when Dumbledore will tell me that I'm of age. Still, I can get some information out of them. I can also do whatever you ask of me. Hurt Harry, hex him, poison him, but not kill him."

"Leave the killing part to me boy," Voldemort said.

"So does that mean that you are going to make me a Death Eater?" Ron's eyes shimmered brightly with happiness.

Voldemort sat back on his throne, and scratched his chin with two fingers as he thought to himself. Yes, the boy would be useful. He didn't have a spy, and he wasn't a traitor like Severus was. He could not only just deliver information, but also do things like poisoning and hexing spells, not just to Harry, but also the others as well. "What is it that you want in return from me if I do let you join me, besides the respect that you have gained from me just by coming here willingly, turning your back on them?"

"Money," Ron answered. It was plain and simple. He didn't just want it, but he also needed it—more of it. His parents never had enough, and he wanted so much. Better clothes, more candy, the best quidditch broom, and the list goes on.

"And that is all?"

"Yes my Lord."

Voldemort reached into his robes and pulled out a pouch filled with galleons. "Here's some money for now," he said as he tossed the pouch to Ron. "There is more where that came from."

Ron opened the pouch and saw at least a hundred galleons in it. He smiled at himself and put the pouch in the pocket of his jeans.

"As for the Mark," Voldemort started as he stood up from his throne. "You cannot wear it. It might be discovered even if you wear a glamour charm." He placed the tip of his wand in his other hand a muttered a spell. In seconds, a golden pendant, with a leather strap appeared in his hand. The pendant was in the shape of a cobra's head. "Wear this around your neck, beneath your clothes. When it glows, or when it feels that heat, I am summoning for you."

Ron stepped forward and reached for the charm and strap. He placed it around his neck and hid it beneath his shirt.

"You must tell no one of this," Voldemort said. "Even I will not inform the other Death Eaters of you. It will just be between you, me and Pettigrew. King Richard said he had spies, so for now, we will meet in secret."

"My Lord," Pettigrew greeted as he walked back into the room. He had a tray in his hands with a cheese burger and a goblet of pumpkin juice. A small table instantly appeared in front of Ron along with a chair at its side.

"We have a spy Pettigrew," Voldemort informed his rat of a servant.

Pettigrew's eyes widened in shock yet again as he looked at Ron. He then turned to look at his master as he started to hear him laugh aloud in a very sinister tone. He then joined in chorus.

Ron smirked at himself as he sat down, and started to eat. Finally, he got what he wanted and deserved. Respect and money. And of all things, he got it from Voldemort himself, and not some stupid people that were supposed to be his friends and family. For once, he felt like the truly belonged, and it felt good because this time, he did things on his own. There was no ranting or complaining involved. Life was good.

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Harry woke up suddenly and sat up on his bed. Sweat covered the upper part of his body, and made portions of his white shirt see through. He had a nightmare again about Voldemort, which made his scar hurt.

"What the hell was that symbol?" he asked himself as he saw a symbol of a glowing cobra's head. If it wasn't the Dark Mark, then what was it?

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AN – Hope you liked or loved the chap. Of course, I also hope that you hate Ron all the more. Review!