JK Rowling just apologised for killing off a beloved character
JK Rowling has made her annual apology for killing off a beloved Harry Potter character.
On the May 2, the date in the final book when the Battle of Hogwarts takes place, Rowling apologised for killing Remus Lupin, the dark arts professor turned werewolf.
Once again, it’s the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts so, as promised, I shall apologise for a death. This year: Remus Lupin.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2016
In the interests of total honesty I’d also like to confess that I didn’t decide to kill Lupin until I wrote Order if the Phoenix.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2016
Arthur lived, so Lupin had to die. I’m sorry. I didn’t enjoy doing it. The only time my editor ever saw me cry was over the fate of Teddy. ?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2016
The author has used the anniversary of the fictional battle to apologise for other popular characters that she has killed off. Previously, she apologised for killing Fred Weasley, saying she “didn’t enjoy doing it”.
Rowling revealed that her original plan had been to kill off Arthur Weasley, Ron’s father, but changed her mind at the last minute. Instead, she opted for Lupin and his wife, Tonks.
Killing off these characters left their son, Teddy, orphaned and Rowling later admitted it was the only time her editor had seen her cry.
