I think Rowling did a good job at working the audience in advance. By making us believe "a major character" would die... didn't it really make you worry as you read each encounter that put Ron or Hermione at risk? I'll be you were all as invested and worried during each encounter as I was.

And... in fact she did tell the truth... After all, Snape is a major character. So is Voldemort. And bottom line... Harry was killed... though being the 'master' of the 3 deathly hallow artifacts in fact did let him choose to return to life.