15 Things That Almost Completely Changed The End Of Harry Potter
14. Ron Was Going To Die
What Happened
Though he has a couple of dicey moments - especially when he's unwittingly spliced in The Deathly Hallows - Ron Weasley survived Voldemort's reign of terror to grow up, marry Hermione and become an Auror despite having none of the correct qualifications. Luckily, the new Ministry decided that the University of Life was enough for them.
The important thing is, he didn't snuff it.
What Could Have Been
Before the final book came out, Daniel Radcliffe's predicted that either Harry, Ron, or Hermione would be killed off - and indeed it would have fit the series' devastating penchant for killing people for effect. And for a while, he would have been right.
As JK Rowling later confirmed, she hadn't ever planned for any of the central three to die, but had a chance of heart:
"Funnily enough, I planned from the start that none of them would die. Then midway through, which I think is a reflection of the fact that I wasn't in a very happy place, I started thinking I might polish one of them off. Out of sheer spite. 'There, now you definitely can't have him any more.' But I think in my absolute heart of heart of hearts, although I did seriously consider killing Ron, [I wouldn't have done it]."
Imagine the despair and the anger had she gone through with it...