Ron Weasley, best friend of Harry Potter, was almost killed off by the series author, J.K. Rowling revealed in an interview conducted by Daniel Radcliffe.

As someone who has followed the series since I was 9 years old, this news comes as a huge shock. Harry, Ron and Hermione are the main characters, so they have a certain air of invincibility around them that is seen throughout the entire series.

Harry, Ron and Hermione survived encounters with a troll, a deadly game of chess and even one of the most dangerous murderers of all time. This is just when they’re 11. The trials only got worse as time went on.

No matter what, they always survive relatively unscathed, with some broken bones as the worst injury I have ever seen Harry or Ron get. As the smart one, Hermione rarely gets any injury worse than a few cuts or bruises.

Yes, Harry Potter is a book series meant for children, but there are many adult themes and situations in J.K Rowling’s world. Death is included as something that Harry had to deal with throughout his entire life. First, he lost his parents, then he lost his godfather Sirius Black and Dumbledore.

Though these people were important to Harry, they weren’t necessarily important to the readers. Sirius Black only appeared in three books, while Harry’s parents appear twice, as ghosts, in the entire series.

Rowling has never shied away from the topic of death and killing off her own characters.

I remember reading an interview where Rowling casually discussed trading off the lives of Arthur Weasley and Remus Lupin.  All because Arthur happened to survive a dangerous encounter in the fifth book.

This is why I don’t understand why Rowling let Ron live. By killing off a main character, Rowling teaches the children who read the series an important lesson.

Until their late 20s or early 30s, people believe they are invincible. As an 18-year-old, I have these feelings too. I don’t think I’m going to die anytime soon or get seriously hurt or disabled. What are the chances?

Higher then many people think. Every day when we wake up, there are multiple threats to our well-being.

Germs, getting hit by a car, hitting your head, choking on a peanut, the possibilities are endless and no one thinks about it.

It would have opened many eyes if Ron had died in the series. It would make fans more appreciative of what they have and how quickly it can be taken away. Harry and Ron are as close as brothers, what would have happened to Harry if he had that support taken away from him? The same that would happen if I lost my best friend tomorrow.

Life isn’t a right, it’s a gift that most of us take for granted.