J.K. Rowling apologizes for "Harry Potter" character's death
J.K. Rowling is asking fans for forgiveness.
Nearly eight years after the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and four years after the final "Potter" film arrived in theaters, the author is apologizing for the death of one beloved character from the wizarding world.
"Today I would just like to say: I'm really sorry about Fred," Rowling tweeted over the weekend, mourning one of Ron Weasley's redheaded older twin brothers. "*Bows head in acceptance of your reasonable ire.*"
Today I would just like to say: I'm really sorry about Fred. *Bows head in acceptance of your reasonable ire*
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2015
If you're curious why she's saying sorry now, May 2 is the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, which happened in (fictional) 1998, making this past Saturday the 17th anniversary of that tragic (again, fictional) event.
When one fan asked why she singled out Fred in particular, Rowling explained her reasoning -- and added that more "mea culpas" might be coming.
.@Brieuc26Rankin I thought I might apologise for one death per anniversary. Fred was the worst for me, so I started with him.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2015