J.K. Rowling Appologizes For Killing Off Remus Lupin

J.K. Rowling issued several tweets apologizing for killing off Remus Lupin, a beloved character in the Harry Potter series.

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

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

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

Rowling asks for forgiveness every year, at the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts (May 2), tweeting out about how sorry she is that a character died or was killed. Last year, it was Fred Weasley, Ron’s brother, who was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts.

The English author had originally planned for Arthur Weasley, Ron and Fred’s father, to be killed, but he was spared in place of Fred and his wife Nymphadora “Tonks.”

Lupin, played by David Thewlis in the movies, was murdered in the battle by Death Eater Antonin Dolohov. Tonks was exterminated by Bellatrix Lestrange, leaving their baby son Teddy an orphan.

Lupin’s death remains a touchy subject for fans, who were enamored “with the werewolf, nicknamed Moony, who was known as one of the Marauders at Hogwarts alongside James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew,” the Guardian reports.

Rowling told one fan who tweeted that Lupin “is and always will be my favourite character in the Harry Potter universe” that it was “the best tribute he could have.”