Arguably the funniest and most outspoken of the trio spent much of his time trying to emerge out of the shadows of his sprawling family and remarkable best friends.

He was the second-youngest child in a whopping-great family, and the least academically accomplished of his friendship group (yup, Harry got better marks even if they both copied Hermione). Plus, with the whole ‘my best mate is the Boy Who Lived’ deal, life could sometimes seem a bit of a bummer to Ron.

Feelings of resentment did pop up occasionally (hello Triwizard Tournament exile and that time that Horcrux plunged him into a never-ending pit of insecurity), but for 99.99999 per cent of the time Ron was the bestest of best pals.

He delivered witty insights in any situation, brought fun when all those around him were in fear of their lives, was loyal to a fault and found humour even when certain death looked, er, fairly certain.

His generosity of spirit, boyishness and silliness gave Harry back some of his childhood and reminded us quite how young the three ware despite the dangers they faced.

Ron also quietly became one of the biggest heroes of the story, proving his intelligence and bravery countless times. Yet, like Neville whose lack of ability as a student made his leadership all the more surprising, sometimes Ron’s achievements were more impressive for being unexpected.

There were several key occasions — from his chess prowess hunting the Philosopher’s Stone to the time he opened the Chamber of Secrets to retrieve a Basilisk fang — when it became obvious that without Ron’s help Harry might not have defeated You-Know-Who.

The lyrics to ‘Weasley is our King’ might claim he ‘cannot save a thing’ but, Quidditch aside, he saved Harry, Hermione, and even Draco Malfoy on more than one occasion.

‘Always the tone of surprise,’ he complained grumpily after one such instance. Harry might be the Chosen One, but Ron was the one Harry chose as his best friend. The youngest Weasley boy was definitely a Keeper – in the Quidditch and other sense. Here are a few special moments that definitively proved that Weasley is our King…

Firstly, he made us laugh
‘Accio brain!’

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

He had a hilarious view of the Muggle world
From being bewildered by ‘felly-tones’ and referring to the non-magical community as ‘those Muggle nutters’, it’s interesting to note that by the end of the story Ron had two Muggles as parents-in-law.

He did listen to Hermione
‘Yeah, well, food’s one of the five exceptions to Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration,’ said Ron, to general astonishment.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

He was totally not bothered by Blood Status
A true Weasley, Ron couldn’t give a stuff whether he was half-blood or half-anything else. In fact, he merrily called his family ‘blood traitors’.

He recognised his failings and – crucially — atoned for them
‘He – well,’ Ron’s ears turned bright red and he became engrossed in a tuft of grass at his feet, which he prodded with his toe, ‘he must’ve known I’d run out on you.’ ‘No,’ Harry corrected him. ‘He must’ve known you’d always want to come back.’

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

His inner struggle, as Dumbledore explained, was revealed by the Mirror of Erised
The usually-cheeky Ron’s true insecurities about the achievements of his siblings were revealed when he looked into the one place that showed your heart’s desires – and saw himself, a success, and standing alone.

He was brilliant at cursing (the kind that made Molly mad, not just hexes)
‘And what in the name of Merlin’s most baggy Y Fronts was that about?’

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

After seven books, he finally said the thing that made Hermione want to kiss him
Took him long enough.

He was nice about house elves
As everyone should be!

Harry Potter to Fantastic Beasts
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