PHOTO: AFP
For the Harry Potter fandom, May 2 is an important date as it marks the anniversary of the Second Wizarding War, known as The Battle of Hogwarts.
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The battle ended with a decisive victory for the Order over Voldemort and his Death Eaters. However, like all battles, this one had casualties. The Harry Potter fandom saw some of its beloved characters lay down their lives in the Battle of Hogwarts.
For the past few years, author JK Rowling tweets an 'apology' on the anniversary of the battle. In her tweets, she apologises for killing off one of the numerous lovable characters during the battle.
In 2015, Rowling tweeted she was 'really sorry' about killing prankster Fred Weasley. Last year she apologised for the death of everyone's favourite werewolf and Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor Remus Lupin.
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However, this year's apology has the fandom divided. This year's apology comes for villain-turned-hero Severus Snape. For most of the series, Snape was portrayed in a negative light. However, a twist ending in the last few chapters of the book unveiled Snape as a spy for Dumbledore who was working undercover against Voldemort.
OK, here it is. Please don't start flame wars over it, but this year I'd like to apologise for killing (whispers)... Snape. *runs for cover*
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2017
Snape is no doubt the most divisive and complex character of the series. While many hail Snape as a hero who ultimately risked his life to save Harry, others are not so easily convinced that he was a good person.
When Rowling's apology was tweeted out, Twitter immediately engaged in 'flame wars.'
Some defended the potions professor:
Snape is one of the most complex and deepest characters in modern literature. Beautifully written story arc.
— Dave Jones (@WelshGasDoc) May 2, 2017
And are clearly not over the death...
You'll be apologising for that one......always. pic.twitter.com/y03inOh1wZ
— Grace; (@_gracelatter) May 2, 2017
Always my favourite character. Beautifully flawed. Luna comes a close second, then... I could go on all day.
— Cathy (@InaudibleMum) May 2, 2017
It still hurts 😢
— Julian De Vizio (@JulianDeVizio) May 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/MXNHLLNKMP/status/859365260221919232
Some fans, however, were having NONE of it:
https://twitter.com/emmmabooks/status/859383645290758144
https://twitter.com/oawoodward/status/859368713140797440
tbh the last thing i want to do in 2017 is apologize away yet another racist dude abusing his power so y'all can keep severus snape in hell
— emma lord (@dilemmalord) May 2, 2017
Obsession isn't love. Snape was abusive and cruel. He got what he gave, in the end.
— Runesael Flynn (@Runesael) May 2, 2017
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