Eamonn McCormack/WireImage(LONDON) — If you’re a true Harry Potter fan, every May 2 means puddles of water on your desk — not because you’ve been practicing the aguamenti spell, but because the date marks the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, which means lots and lots of tears. Each year, wizards and muggles alike mourn this day on which many of their fictitious favorites met their demise in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
J. K. Rowling is no exception, taking to Twitter to apologize for one death each year on May 2. This year, it is everyone’s favorite werewolf-turned-teacher.
“Once again, it’s the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts so, as promised, I shall apologise for a death. This year: Remus Lupin,” she wrote.
According to the prolific author, his fate was not sealed until the fifth book in the series. She wrote, “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 [sic].”
Rowling explained that since Ron’s father Arthur survived, Remus Lupin was the character who ultimately kept the body count in check. But with his wife also a victim of Voldemort and his army, that left yet another Boy Who Lived: the couple’s son Teddy.
“Arthur lived, so Lupin had to die,” she explained. “I’m sorry. I didn’t enjoy doing it. The only time my editor ever saw me cry was over the fate of Teddy.”
It’s some kind of consolation that Rowling is as upset over these deaths as we are. Last year, she apologized for killing Fred Weasley.
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