J.K. Rowling apologizes for killing off a beloved character
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To Harry Potter fans still heartbroken over the loss of their favorite werewolf, J.K. Rowling would like to say "sorry."
The fantasy author, who is active on Twitter, issued a social media mea culpa for killing off Remus Lupin at the Battle of Hogwarts. (That fictional showdown, which pitted Harry and his allies against Voldemort's forces, took place 18 years ago today — May 2.)
Not a Potter fanatic? Put on your snorkel, because I'm about to go deep into the Potter waters. Rowling's tweets suggest that Arthur Weasley — beloved patriarch of the red-headed Weasley clan — had previously been marked for death, but sparing him cost Lupin his life. Lupin's death left young Teddy Lupin an orphan, since his mother, Nymphadora Tonks, also perished in the battle. And that's what made Rowling cry.
Though the last book in the Potter series was published nearly 10 years ago, Rowling has proven that she just can't leave the magic behind. Last year, she apologized for killing off another fan favorite, Fred Weasley, during the same battle.
These post-mortem apologies have become an annual tradition of sorts, and the Battle of Hogwarts left enough casualties to keep Rowling rolling for a while. (Tonks? Colin Creevey? Lavender Brown?)
Personally, I've been hoping for an apology for killing off Sirius Black back in the fifth book.
Still waiting, Rowling, still waiting.
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