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J.K. Rowling Apologizes For Killing Snape In Harry Potter

Warner Bros.
By Tim Karan

Severus Snape is the definition of a "complicated" character. Obviously.

But whether you love or hate the hero in disguise of the Harry Potter films (played brilliantly by the late Alan Rickman), it's clear that author J.K. Rowling has a special affection for him.

Rowling has taken to apologizing each year for killing off one of the Potter characters, doing so in the past for Fred Weasley and Remus Lupin. This year, however, on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, she said on Twitter that she's sorry for killing Professor Snape.


Of course, Snape is an exceptionally divisive character, especially among Potter faithful. Initially attracted to the Dark Arts and Voldemort's ideas about wizard supremacy, Snape's love for Harry's mother Lily eventually causes him to turn his back on the Death Eaters. He becomes a double-agent for Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix and vows to protect Harry.

While, yes, he killed Dumbledore, he only did so because Dumbledore (who was actually dying from a powerful curse) insisted that Snape had to be the one to do it. Harry eventually learns this during Snape's final moments after Voldemort has his snake Nagini bite Snape through the neck. Harry was convinced that Snape was actually a good guy, and he eventually named his first son Albus Severus Potter in honor of "the bravest man" he ever knew.

However, Rowling's apology has prompted a wide range of responses from fans on Twitter. Some express fondness for the character, while others are less than accepting. Check some out below. Meanwhile, take a look back at a few more Harry Potter moments that outraged fans.

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