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JK Rowling apologises for killing off Remus Lupin in Harry Potter

"I'm sorry. I didn't enjoy doing it. The only time my editor ever saw me cry was over the fate of Teddy"

Clarisse Loughrey
Monday 02 May 2016 17:18 BST
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Anniversaries of fictional battles are very important too; and, for J.K. Rowling, clearly a time to make certain amends with her ever adoring, eternally passionate fanbase.

2 May, 2016 marks 18 years since the climactic Battle of Hogwarts which takes place in Rowling's final Harry Potter book, The Deathly Hallows. A day of remembrance the author last year promised would be reserved for a little regret and supplication.

"I thought I might apologise for one death per anniversary," she tweeted; before naming Fred Weasley as the character she most regretted killing off, possibly since the whole leaving one twin alive thing is a little morbid even for this world of Death Eaters and Dementors.

Well, it's that time of year again, and time for Rowling to pick another regretful name out of the hat. The author chose this, the 18th anniversary, to make her apologies for the death of Remus Lupin; beloved Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, werewolf, and mentor to Harry.

"Once again, it’s the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts so, as promised, I shall apologise for a death," Rowling wrote. "This year: Remus Lupin."


A death which may be a particularly sore spot for Potter fans still aching from the fact both Lupin, and his wife Nymphadora Tonks, weren't given a full death scene; a fact repeated in The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 film, in which poor Remus (played by David Thewlis) unceremoniously died offscreen.

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