J.K. Rowling Finally Gets Around To Apologizing For The Worst Death In Harry Potter
By Aimee LutkinUpdated Jan. 15 2020, 3:10 p.m. ET
Though she already has an enormous Twitter following that seems to keep her busy all day long, J.K. Rowling is always ready to light up her mentions with a few controversial tweets. One of her favorite things to do is "apologize" for killing of characters in the Harry Potter series.
Yes, you made us love them, then you took them away. It's what a writer does, but we're still mad. We're still not over Albus Dumbledore's untimely death — and there is no way you read the details of his funeral at Hogwarts and not shed a tear over the pages. So, now the author is taking the time to ask for forgiveness when it comes to the deaths in the seven-book series on a very poignant date, the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, which is celebrated by Potterheads every May 2.
Last year, she covered Snape:
OK, here it is. Please don't start flame wars over it, but this year I'd like to apologise for killing (whispers)... Snape. *runs for cover*
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2017Snape is a controversial figure, but personally I felt owed this apology.
This ritual began with Fred Weasley:
Today I would just like to say: I'm really sorry about Fred. *Bows head in acceptance of your reasonable ire*
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2015And a promise to go through one important character every year:
@jk_rowling What about Tonks, Lupin ?
— Brieuc (@Brieuc26Rankin) May 2, 2015.@Brieuc26Rankin I thought I might apologise for one death per anniversary. Fred was the worst for me, so I started with him.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2015There are so many dead Harry Potter characters! Rowling could feast on this engagement for years.
But she blew it. Because in 2018, she apologized for the worst death of all:
It's that anniversary again. This year, I apologise for killing someone who didn't die during the #BattleofHogwarts, but who laid down his life to save the people who'd win it. I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2018Dobby is also a divisive character, mostly because he is kind of annoying. But his death still gets me every time. The happiest day of this elf's life was getting a sock, and he still got killed??
Fans agree:
At first I didn't like Dobby, but I wish I could be more like Dobby, his death in book & on film always makes me cry
— Anna Vancouver (@AnnaRoseVan) May 2, 2018That answer really touched me, Anna.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2018Answer honestly and you'll be seen by J.K. Rowling:
Not gonna lie, I'm at work, got a bit screachy and shed a tear. Pretty lovely to know for a moment your hero saw you
— Anna Vancouver (@AnnaRoseVan) May 2, 2018But lots of people aren't getting personal messages form their hero, and they're still pretty upset about Dobby:
This is the only death I cried over when reading it, I’ve never read something so sad
— Paris (@parisvelvet) May 2, 2018He was so innocent 😩 all he ever wanted to do was save Harry Potter, and you repaid him by killing him off 😩 WHY JO. WHY. #BattleofHogwarts #Anniversary
— A A RON ⚡️ (@aarxnmw) May 2, 2018Dobby 😭😭😭😭
— Perons (@Perons__) May 2, 2018Rest in Peace Dobby❤️ pic.twitter.com/uZjahTLWKl
— sanne (@mukefthxrry) May 2, 2018Dobby is the one that hurt me the most. He was loyal and genuine. DOBBY WAS A FREE ELF!!! pic.twitter.com/DSvVyClyhn
— Melanie Dione (@beauty_jackson) May 2, 2018Literally just at the chapter in the book of Dobbys funeral. 😢
— Vicki Brown (@vickibrown2018) May 2, 2018In the books dear dobby explained the importance of freedom, the value friendship, the meaning of loyalty in a way that no one else could have.
No doubt he was the most lovable character.
And my queen I think everyone gave a second thought to all what he did only because he died.
But other people are kinda disappointed that she didn't get to a few other characters first:
I mean I’m still not over Hedwig
— Joseph (@suddenlyjoseph) May 2, 2018Am sorry Miss Rowling. I love you but I just can't forgive Dobby, Sirius, and Lupin. Why I ask you why.
— Dan Stubbings (@dan_stubbings) May 2, 2018Cool but where’s my Tonks apology?
— saw IW | lily evans | sizzy & bellarke will rise (@ladymultifandom) May 2, 2018Hang in there. She's got many more years to say sorry.
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