Draco Malfoy disliked Ron Weasley primarily because the Weasley family was seen as blood traitors within the wizarding world.
Draco Malfoy's animosity towards Ron Weasley stemmed largely from his family's pure-blood ideology and their disdain for families who associated with Muggles and Muggle-borns. The Malfoy family held rigid beliefs about blood purity, considering pure-blood wizards superior and looking down upon anyone who did not share this view.
Here's a breakdown of the key reasons, based on the provided information:
- Family Background: The core issue was that Ron came from the Weasley family. The Malfoys, and others who shared their pure-blood views, considered the Weasleys blood traitors.
- Views on Muggles and Muggle Artefacts: As highlighted in the reference, Arthur Weasley, Ron's father, worked at the Ministry of Magic in a sector that dealt with Muggle Artefacts. For pure-blood purists like the Malfoys, showing interest in or working closely with anything Muggle-related was seen as disgraceful and a betrayal of wizarding heritage.
- Ideological Conflict: The Weasleys were known for their acceptance of Muggles and Muggle-borns, starkly contrasting with the Malfoys' prejudiced views. This fundamental difference in values was a major source of friction and contempt from Draco.
In essence, Draco's hatred for Ron wasn't just personal (though their personalities also clashed); it was deeply rooted in the opposing social and political ideologies of their families. Ron represented everything the Malfoys scorned: poverty, a lack of pure-blood snobbery, and a friendly disposition towards the non-magical world.