It had seemed like a sensible decision at the time, but then again most bad choices did. He'd thought at first it was a trick, a trap to humiliate and discredit him and his family. After time though, he'd realized that the invitation had been genuine, as were the potential advantages. Everything he had ever wanted fame, riches, and respect. The girl had been the icing on the cake. So, if those choices weighed on him in the future, he could happily tell himself that all this was for her, for his family. It wasn't of course, it was for him and only him.
Being the youngest male amongst so many brothers had been difficult. While Ron loved his family, he really did, he resented them just as much. He hated being dismissed by them, ignored, ridiculed. He hated that his father could never get his shit together enough to make something of himself. Instead, he just puttered away his life in a dead-end position with the Ministry. He hated how both his mother and father neglected to raise them in the traditions of the Pure Bloods they were. They were one of the fucking Sacred 28. Not that you'd ever know it by looking at them. He hated how everyone compared him to his brothers and apparently always found him lacking. He hated his hand me down clothes and second-hand school supplies. He hated that Hermione didn't see him as he saw her. He hated how she nagged him and most of all, he hated Harry Potter.
Draco had been right. Harry had seemed a decent enough friend at the beginning, but he drew everyone's attention. Ron might as well not even be there for all the notice people took of him. Time and again Harry placed himself in the spot light. Not even trying to share it with his friends. Hermione may have been fine with that, but he sure as hell wasn't. He wanted, no needed to make a name for himself. Draco simply provided him the opportunity.
He'd approached Ron at the beginning of their 6th year. Draco had been full of bluster, but he'd made some interesting points. It hadn't helped that Ron was already angry at how close he, Hermione and Ginny had come to dying by following Harry into the Department of Mysteries. The idiot let himself be used and tricked into placing them all in danger, and yet everyone still coddled their "hero". Heroes don't fuck up like that. Heroes don't rush head on into danger without even an inkling of a plan. Yet Potter did, and he'd faced no repercussions. Dumbledore's favorite, the old man never saw Harry for what he was, a selfish prick craving the limelight. If he had to see that arse's picture in the paper one more time, well he didn't know what he'd do.
It had taken well over a month for Draco to convince him to join up, but convince him he did. As he said, Draco had made some very good points. Pure Bloods were simply better suited to run the country. They were born and bred to the wizarding world. There was no need for silly Muggle knowledge and "technology". What a laugh. They couldn't do anything for themselves. They were worse than squibs. At least squibs understood their place, muggles on the other hand… The same went for the Muggleborns. They came into their society and insisted that it change to suit them. They should be grateful. They had been allowed into their world, yet they were never satisfied. It was only natural that Pure Bloods protect their homes and way of life.
He'd made a few stipulations. One, that Snape not be told of his involvement. He may have been Draco's godfather, but he didn't trust the sot one bit. Two, the he be allowed to become head of his family as soon as the Dark Lord rose to power, so that he may be better able to protect them afterwards. Three, Hermione was his, no questions asked.
Malfoy had taken his terms to the Dark Lord for consideration. He'd been extremely generous to the boy. Voldemort could care less if Snape was told of his involvement. In fact, the less people who knew of his true allegiance the better. He'd whole heartedly agreed that Ron would become his family's ruler and protector after the war. He did warn him though, that there may still be punishment handed down onto all who fought against him, but he would have the right to campaign for lenience on their behalf. Lastly, he would be given "Potter's Mudblood", if she survived the war. He would not be allowed to marry her and could only breed her if he gained the Dark Lord's express permission in advance. Also, she would not be allowed to hold a place in their society. She would be mistress and slave, but nothing more. Ron would also be expected to find and marry a suitable Pure Blood witch in order to help breed the next generation of Pure Blood loyalists.
Ron had agreed to the terms happily. He loved the idea that his family would have to come to him to plead for mercy. He would be a generous head of house as long as they obeyed. He'd have to find Ginny a suitable match, though. He'd be damned if he allowed her to marry that Half Blood idiot. Besides, he'd be dead by the end of the war. So, he wasn't going to be an option anyway. And Hermione, his sweet, beautiful Mione. He was fine with not marrying her. He wasn't averse to "owning" her. In fact, he loved the idea, just the thought of it made his cock stir, and his heart beat just a little faster. He could just imagine all he'd do with her.
Malfoy had arranged a meeting with You-Know-Who in late November during a Hogsmead weekend. It had been easy enough to slip away from the other Gryffindors and meet Draco in an ally. Once there, they portkeyed to Malfoy Manor. Ron tried not to gawp at the massive home, palatial gardens and splendor of it all. This would be him some day, he vowed. He'd have this, all of it, his own manor, head of his family, a suitable wife at his side and a mistress in his bed. This was what he was fighting for.
Actually, seeing the Dark Lord scared the wits out of him, but he remembered what Draco said and was subservient and respectful. The meeting had gone better that he thought it would. In fact, it had been great. The Dark Lord appreciated his talents and bravery for choosing the correct side, despite his poor upbringing. He assured the boy that he would have the opportunity for everything he'd ever wanted. It had been intoxicating to be in the dark wizard's presence.
He'd been given a ring that he was to wear at all times. It was charmed to be invisible to all but him. A Dark Mark would have been far too dangerous considering his close ties with the enemy. You-Know-Who promised that after the war, he'd be marked and would join his ranks with all the honors and advantages that would entail. In the meantime, a vault was opened in his name at Gringotts and weekly transfers started to come in to help secure his future. His primary mission would be to report on Harry and the Order. He'd also been assigned to help with the task Draco had been charged with. Although the wizard specified that Malfoy alone was to complete the task on his own. It all seemed easy enough, and he was eager to prove himself. Afterwards, the boys returned to Hogsmead and went their separate ways. Ron was able to slip back in amongst his friends once more with no one the wiser of his treachery.