J.K. Rowling: Remus Lupin 'had to die' during Battle of Hogwarts

Monday marks the anniversary of the fictional Battle of Hogwarts, the gruesome events described in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that ended the Second Wizarding War. To mark the day, author J.K. Rowling has apologized for killing a fan favorite character in the Harry Potter series: Remus Lupin.

“Once again, it’s the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts so, as promised, I shall [apologize] for a death. This year: Remus Lupin,” Rowling wrote on Twitter. “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.”

Lupin was introduced to fans in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and became Hogwarts’ Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. A werewolf, Lupin was a dear friend of Potter’s parents and he and his wife Tonks played a prominent role in the Order of the Phoenix.

Rowling continued her explanation: “Arthur [Weasley] 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 [his son] Teddy.”

Last year on May 2, Rowling apologized for killing Fred Weasley during the Battle. “I thought I might [apologize] for one death per anniversary,” she wrote. “Fred was the worst for me, so I started with him.”