Ron Weasley is the Harry Potter character based in part on J.K. Rowling’s childhood friend Sean Harris.
Rowling has described Harris as an important friend from her school years and said that aspects of his personality influenced Ron. Ron is Harry Potter’s loyal best friend and Hermione Granger’s close companion. He is known for humour, courage, a strong family bond, and occasional insecurity.
The phrase “based on” does not mean Ron is a complete portrait of Harris. Fictional characters usually combine several influences, and Ron’s experiences, relationships, and role in the plot are created for the novels. Harris is particularly associated with the real-life inspiration behind Ron’s friendship and character qualities.
Ron’s full name is Ronald Bilius Weasley, and he belongs to the large Weasley family. His red hair, wizarding upbringing, and position as Harry’s first close Hogwarts friend make him one of the series’ central characters.