JK Rowling has said she is sorry to fans for killing off a favourite character in the “Battle of Hogwarts” – namely, Remus Lupin.
The author used the anniversary of the battle on May 2 to previously apologise for the death of Fred Weasley, and now has done it again in tribute to the popular werewolf.
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
She admitted that it wasn’t always her plan to kill off Remus, but when she decided to spare Arthur Weasley she knew that Lupin and his wife Nymphadora Tonks had to go.
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.
— 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
Lupin – nicknamed Moony and one of the best loved characters in the books – was killed by Death Eater Antonin Dolohov, while Tonks was murdered by Bellatrix Lestrange. Their son Teddy was, as a result, left as an orphan.
Remus Lupin was played by David Thewlis in the films.