DISCLAIMER - Of course I don't own Harry Potter, Rowling does.

CHAPTER ONE

PROLOGUE

In the far distance from the Hogwarts castle on this gorgeous sunny day, anyone could see the one flyer flying on a broom around the Quidditch Pitch. At a closer glance, the color of person's red hair can be clearly seen by the shine of the sun. The lone flyer flying around the Quidditch pitch was Ron Weasley who appeared to be deep in thought as he slowly flew around the pitch mindlessly without purpose.

In deep thought, Ron flew on his broom because it helped him think whilst being high up in the air with the feeling of air whipping into his face and the feeling of freedom he received from flying. What was on his mind was what he would be doing after graduating from Hogwarts which was approaching at a fast rate as his seventh and final year turned out to be his easiest of all years at Hogwarts. The reason behind this was the result of Dumbledore's death the previous year and Hogwarts being taken over control by the Ministry of Magic, resulting in Severus Snape, his favorite professor, becoming Headmaster of the school instead of Professor McGonagall as many expected. Being a Slytherin himself, this meant that this change would greatly benefit him, especially since You-Know-Who indirectly took over the Ministry of Magic. While he wasn't in charge, it was blatantly obvious he was in order because of the many changes the Ministry of Magic had made, like the Muggleborn Registration for example.

Nonetheless, all these changes made this school year the easiest for Ron and quite a huge advantage for all of Slytherins, especially those with Death Eater parents. Ron and Draco Malfoy, his best friend, got away with everything and practically reigned over all Slytherins and everyone else in Hogwarts except for those who were defiant against Pureblood fanatics, especially these bloody Dumbledore's Army members whose membership continues to increase at a rapid rate. Although, it was only recently that the Dumbledore's Army went into hiding because of the Carrows.

Bloody hell, there was not anyone that Ron hated the most at Hogwarts than the Carrows. While the Carrows and Ron were on the same side as being Purebloods themselves, Ron did not share the same views that all Mudbloods, Muggleborns and Muggles, should be exterminated. The Carrows were obviously Death Eaters who were doing You-Know-Who's work in Hogwarts by attempting to turn everyone into Mudblood-hating people. The Carrows, siblings, took over the school by becoming a Muggle Studies professor and a Defense against the Dark Arts professor as well. Muggle Studies taught students why Muggles and Muggleborns were bad for their world, but that was nothing compared to the Defense against the Dark Arts classes as all Hogwarts students were forced to practice dark spells on Muggleborns and those who were defiant against their views as well as those who had gotten detention, especially the cruciatus curse. For the first time ever in all of his years at Hogwarts, the Slytherin House was actually excelling in Defense against the Dark Arts over all other Hogwarts houses.

His parents had encouraged, though forcefully, him to do everything the Carrows said and to assist them if they needed help with something. Ron reluctantly did so in the fear of receiving the same suffering other students received though he did not wholeheartedly agree with their actions. While Ron was indeed a Slytherin and from a Slytherin family, he did not share the same view that Muggles and Muggleborns needed to be exterminated from the face of the Earth. His parents did not either, but they shared the views that Purebloods were superior over everyone else and worked hard to maintain that view amongst other You-Know-Who supporters regardless of the Weasley family being divided in half. Only three of the seven children of the Weasley family, Charlie, Percy and Ronald, became Slytherins even though the majority of the Weasley family history on Arthur Weasley's side was Slytherins. The other four, Bill, Fred, George and Ginny, became some of the few in Weasley history to be non-Slytherins as all four were placed in the Gryffindor house. There were times that Ron wished he was put in the Gryffindor house, but there were also times where he felt rather lucky for being a Slytherin because of the advantages he received, especially now that You-Know-Who was gaining power once again and indirectly controlling the Ministry of Magic. Purebloods, especially those of Slytherin lineage and Death Eater families, had been treated with royalty ever since the Ministry of Magic had been taken over after the death of Albus Dumbledore and the Golden Trio had gone into hiding.

This brought Ron back to his original thought which was what would he be doing after he graduated? He had always dreamed of being a Professional Quidditch player one day, but did not believe he was good enough for the professional leagues. However, he was going to keep this option on the side in the possibility he may attend tryouts one day. There were not much other career options that he, himself, was actually interested in. Thinking on it, he thought of all the careers his brothers had and considered the possibility of working in the Ministry alongside with his father and Percy, working with dragons with Charlie or helping out with his brothers Fred and George. Though, that last option was not as likely as their shop had been closed for a few months now and his twin brothers had gone into hiding because Death Eaters had cottoned onto some information that they were helping out a secret organization, the Order, in the fight against
You-Know-Who and ransacked their shop after the discovery of such information.

There was one other option on the table as well, but Ron did not want to think about it for a second. However, he knew he needed to because there was a high possibility of it happening due to his friendship with Draco Malfoy and his close relationship with the Malfoy family, especially Lucius Malfoy who was a Death Eater, himself. It was blatantly clear that Draco would follow in his father's footsteps and receive the Mark upon graduation, even though he had already been involved in some Death Eater activities in the last couple months. Ron knew that he was loyal to Draco and Draco was loyal to him as well and due to their close friendship, there was a high possibility that he may go along with Draco and become a Death Eater as well. However, he did not want to become one at all and secretly hoped that You-Know-Who would not succeed in taking over the world. The Golden Trio, especially Harry Potter, were still alive and he refused to believe the news that they had run away out of the country to, as the Ministry of Magic had said, "Save their own skins," and leaving everyone behind to suffer at the hand of You-Know-Who. Nonetheless, there had been sightings of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom in the last couple months and Ron believed that they were in hiding because they were looking for ways to bring down You-Know-Who. Still, at the same time, he knew he could never abandon Draco as they both had been friends since they were kids. His parents had allowed Ron to play with Draco at the Malfoy Manor since he was around six years old. Therefore, the chances of him becoming a Death Eater were quite high and ever since the death of Albus Dumbledore, it was starting to feel like it was the inevitable.

Before Ron could think further, his thoughts were broken up as a voice called his name loudly from below.

"RON! RON!"

Ron shook his head slightly before looking down at the small, almost ant-like, figure standing at the ground looking straight up at him.

Ron quickly recognized the person as Draco before lowering himself to the ground to where Draco stood. It was then that Ron noticed the frenzied, yet gleeful, look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked as he landed on the ground and dismounted from the broom.

"It's time." That was all Draco needed to say for Ron to know what he meant, but Draco went on, "It's finally happening!" What Draco meant was that something would be happening with the Death Eaters and that there may be an assignment for both Draco and Ron. Many months ago, Lucius Malfoy had told Ron, who had suffered through a trial of torturous tests, that he would let him and Draco know right away when they would be needed. He assumed this was what Draco meant and he would discover he was correct.

"What did he say?" Ron inquired as he picked up his broom as Draco turned to walk back to the castle with Ron in tow.

"I found out that the Undesirable has been sighted in Hogsmead and is most likely coming to Hogwarts. My father said that the Dark Lord is on his way here to settle this with Potter once and for all. I think they may be trying to get in with help from Dumbledore's Army. We need to catch them and hand Potter over to the Dark Lord!" Draco finished with a deep breath, glee written across his face.

Ron scrunched his eyebrows at Draco and secretly hoped to himself that Harry Potter wouldn't get caught. "So…what's the plan?"

"My father told me we need to watch for any signs of the Golden Trio's presence in Hogwarts and to alert them by owl at once when we do find some information regarding their possible location, unless we actually physically see them. If we do, he gave us the go to do whatever it takes to restrain them and bring them to the feet of You-Know-Who! I already have Crabbe and Goyle to keep an eye out for them, so if they see them, they will alert me right away. Finally! The Dark Lord will kill Harry Potter! Though, I wish I had the chance to kill him." Draco pouted as Ron slightly smirked at the last part, but became tight-lipped immediately after. After a series of trials at the Malfoy Manor, Ron was able to return to Hogwarts earlier, but Draco had stayed longer. Before he returned, the Golden Trio had been caught and taken to the Malfoy Manor where a series of events occurred that resulted in the Trio successfully escaping. He only had found out after recognizing that Draco was using a different wand and after some pressuring, Draco had embarrassedly admitted everything that happened there, including Harry Potter taking his wand before escaping.

It was a few hours later that Ron found himself sitting at the Slytherin table between Draco and Pansy Parkinson in the Great Hall with no further signs of the Golden Trio yet. He helped himself to a second plate of chicken wings when Draco suddenly punched him in the arm, making him nearly drop the plate.

"What the bloody hell did you punch me for?!" Ron snapped.

Draco said nothing except he pointed at something near the Gryffindor table, forcing Ron to look up to see Harry Potter in the flesh. 'Oh no,' Ron thought to himself as he realized that this truly was it. That the inevitable confrontation between Harry Potter and You-Know-Who may take place here at Hogwarts.

Seconds later, all of a sudden, the voice of You-Know-Who magnified from outside of Hogwarts. He was announcing his presence and demanded that people inside of Hogwarts hand over Harry Potter and that no harm would come to them if they were to do so. Otherwise, his henchmen, the Death Eaters, and he would invade the castle. After the speech ended, next to him, Pansy jumped from her seat before pointing her finger at Harry Potter and screamed that someone grab him and take him to the You-Know-Who. Ron immediately knew it wouldn't work as all three other houses stood up from their tables and in front of Harry Potter, separating him from the Slytherins. Professor McGonagall thanked Pansy and ordered Professor Slughorn to take all of the Slytherins away, clearly insinuating that none of them were to be trusted.

Ron followed them, but Draco held him back. "Ron, wait, we need to stay behind. Remember our orders. Let's get Crabbe and Goyle quick."

The two of them reached Crabbe and Goyle and pulled them out of Slughorn's sight, hiding momentarily as they watched the Golden Trio leave the Great Hall. They followed them until the Golden Trio reached the secret room Ron knew as the Room of Requirements in which the Trio entered, the four of them entering the room as well moments later. It was then that things began spiraling out of control as neither Crabbe nor Goyle would listen to the two of them when they cornered Harry Potter. This came as a surprise to Ron because both Crabbe and Goyle had always followed the two of them and had never stood up against them in the last seven years. Although, it may not really be a surprise because of Lucius Malfoy's declining status with
You-Know-Who.

All of a sudden, someone had cast one of the worst spells if one wasn't able to control it, the fiendfyre, and Ron was unable to see who had casted it. Nonetheless, there was no time to find out as he immediately knew they all needed to escape the room or be consumed by the fiery fire. It was thanks to the Golden Trio that they all were alive and laying on the ground outside of the Room of Requirement moments later as they had acquired brooms from somewhere and saved their arses, although Crabbe was the unlucky one. Next to him, Draco was very upset at the sight of his friend lying dead on the ground, someone he had known for nearly all of his life besides Ron.

Moments later, Ron pulled Draco away from Crabbe and forced him to his feet before pushing him in the direction that the Golden Trio had left in.

"Come on, we need to go after them." Ron barked as the two began running down the hall and down the stairs to where battles between Death Eaters and those who opposed You-Know-Who were occurring. Ron stopped in his steps in a hallway when he saw his brothers, Fred and Percy, fighting Death Eaters together. This came as a surprise to Ron because he knew Percy was a Pureblood fanatic and would do what it took to rise up in the Ministry of Magic, but Fred was no surprise as a few of his brothers and Ginny were actually on the good side. Before he could shout out to them, as his mind compelled him to, he witnessed Fred being hit with a green curse that was recognizably the killing curse and Fred crumpled to the ground in a heap. Percy threw a powerful curse back at the Death Eater who cast the curse, forcing the Death Eater to retreat as Percy turned to Fred and grabbed Fred to his chest, yelling, "FRED!"

The words stopped short in Ron's throat as he was unable to say anything after witnessing Fred's death. He could not move as he was immobile momentarily before finally taking a step forward, wanting to be by Fred's side. However, Draco grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him away from them and dragged him out of the corridor and out of the castle. They were doing what Slytherins did best: flee and save their arses.

Outside, there was a wild battle going on as many Death Eaters and creatures like Giants fought against the good side. Ron and Draco moved quickly while avoiding curses flying over their heads, trying to get past the battle lines into the Death Eater's side for safety. Before he could reach it, a curse hit him out of sight and suddenly, the world went black as he was knocked out.

It was hours later when he finally woke up by Draco's hands shaking his body while yelling into his ear. Ron found himself in the middle of a field a mile away from the Hogwarts castle, but he heard nothing from that direction, indicating that the battle may have ended.

"What happened?" Ron asked. He stared at the top of the Hogwarts castle which was visible from this distance. Draco did not answer him, forcing Ron to turn his head to look at Draco. Draco was pale as a white sheet and breathing heavily, looking very distressed. "What is it? What's wrong?" Ron continued.

Draco continued breathing heavily, not saying anything and looking out in the distance, looking lost. "I…we lost."

Ron's eyes widened in shock, mainly due to disbelief that the Golden Trio had beat You-Know-Who, but Ron did not know anything, so he pressed on. "What happened, Draco?"

"Potter beat him. With a bloody expelliarmus no less! What a fucking disgrace!" Draco snarled.

"What? Are you serious?!" Ron exclaimed in surprise.

Draco did not respond nor did he speak out loud again, bringing a silence between the two momentarily before Ron broke it.

"What happened to me? How'd you get me all the way out here?"

Draco closed his eyes, clenching his fists as his heavy breathing returned.

"Father saw us and helped us out of the battle. He pulled us out and used his wand to levitate you while we and mother ran from the battle, but….there were Aurors at the gates of the entrance. They wouldn't let us through and they tried to disarm my father. I could tell that if we were to give up, we all may have gone to Azkaban and father knew it as well, so he told me to take you and get out of there. I refused and wanted to stay and fight. He wouldn't have it. He didn't want me to get caught, so I left with you, but mother refused to leave and fought alongside with my father. I got away, but I was still able to see them fighting the Aurors. One of them…" Draco squeezed his eyelids whilst growling, "One of the Aurors threw the killing curse at my father! I
knew he was dead when my mother fell to the ground to my father, but father wouldn't move. I…they fucking killed my father!" Draco finished with a yell.

Ron looked at Draco with sympathy, but inside, fear was building up. He felt something was going to happen.

"This is Potter's fault! You-Know-Who is dead and my mother is likely going to Azkaban! I…" Draco ended, becoming quiet once again.

"Potter didn't kill your father, the Auror did. Did you see who h…?" Ron wasn't able to finish as Draco interrupted him.

"DON'T! No matter how you spin this, this is Potter's fault! I swear…I swear I will get revenge on him! I will make him pay! We lost! Our side lost and we all are likely going to Azkaban or worse, have everything taken from us. You know it!" Draco snapped at Ron, looking very deranged at the moment.

"Draco…" Ron started, but Draco interrupted him once again.

"Ron, will you help me?" Draco just had asked the biggest question of Ron's life. "Will you help me get revenge on Potter? I can't do it on my own. Harry Potter needs to pay for what he did. There's no one else to lead the Death Eaters and I know no one will want to since the Dark Lord is now gone. I know I can do it and with you by my side, my smarts and your eye for strategy, we could lead the Death Eaters and we would be unstoppable! Please, be my right hand man."

There, it was all laid out for Ron as Draco stared at him, wide-eyed as he waited for Ron's response. Inside, Ron was conflicted, as anxiety threatened to overtake his mind. He did not know what to do, but he knew that if he was to follow Draco, there would be no turning back. He would be hunted by the Aurors as well as Harry Potter alongside with Draco. However, he was a very loyal person to Draco and they both were very close best friends. He was now the last person Draco had and if he was to abandon Draco, Draco would be very alone with no one to watch his back and Draco would very likely get himself killed. It was because of this feeling
that helped Ron decide one of the worst decisions of his life.

With a shaky breath, Ron finally responded, "Sure, Draco, I'm with you." Draco's eyes widened in glee as he stood up and helped Ron to his feet.

"Let's go." Draco said as he pulled out his wand, before grabbing Ron's arm.

This was it. There was no turning back which meant no more good life. They were going to be on the run away from the Aurors and would need to find a place to hide now that the Malfoy Manor would likely be a bad place to hide.

Draco suddenly apparated the two of them to some location Ron had never been to before which would later turn out to be one of their new hide-outs.

Draco went on to gather up all the remaining Death Eaters and had convinced the majority of them to follow Draco on the path of revenge against Harry Potter for defeating the Dark Lord. Everything that happened after that event went by like a blur. It was as if Ron's true and worst nightmare was coming true as he was forced to torture people for information or forced them to aid them in their path of revenge on Harry Potter. At the same time, Draco would kill muggles who had no family or would not be sorely missed just for the fun as they were both bored at times as they had to be in hiding for the majority of the next few years as they could not be noticed by anyone since they and the Death Eaters were planning on coming back and in a big way. During this whole time, Ron regretted every single moment of it because he never wanted to become a Death Eater, but at the same time, he struggled with the idea of truly abandoning Draco as he was the only friend of Draco's left. The next few years was the longest nightmare of Ron's life.

Author's Note: I know many of you will be confused and be against the fact that I made the Weasley family to be a Slytherin lineage rather than Gryffindor, but this is because my story takes place in the Alternate Universe. In reality, I am more of a Gryffindor supporter and prefer the Weasleys maintain that way, but for this story, being a Slytherin lineage helps with the background of where Ron Weasley come from and why and how he is a Slytherin and is best friends with Draco Malfoy as well as the decision (path) he had chosen, albeit a terrible one at that.

Expect the next revised chapter in the next couple days. Be on the look out for that or you can do it the easy way. Add this to your story alerts and it will let you know when I have re-uploaded the next chapter.