Ron---the more accustomed I get to the wizards" society, the less useful he is. At first, he was an invaluable "native guide," but after so many years at Hogwarts, and so much time spent researching, his guidance is worth less and less. I am going to have to carefully consider whether he's going to be worth the effort to keep, come the Day. As long as Voldemort is alive and free, though, I'm going to need Ron, even if only to keep Harry centered and calm. Besides, through him I can get to meet quite a few people, not least his own huge family.