JK Rowling has issued another apology for killing one of her much-loved characters in the final book of the Harry Potter series.
Each year on 2 May, the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, the author says sorry for a death that hurt fans particularly hard.
On Wednesday, she apologised for killing Dobby, the house elf freed after a trick by Harry Potter who went on to save him, Luna Lovegood, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, before they were turned over to Voldemort.
Unlike other characters covered in previous apologies, Dobby was not killed during the Battle of Hogwarts, the climactic war between good and evil on the school’s grounds, but earlier in the Deathly Hallows novel.
Rowling tweeted: “It’s that anniversary again. This year, I apologise for killing someone who didn’t die during the #BattleofHogwarts, but who laid down his life to save the people who’d win it. I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf.”
It’s that anniversary again. This year, I apologise for killing someone who didn’t die during the #BattleofHogwarts, but who laid down his life to save the people who’d win it. I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2018
Last year, the author apologised for killing Professor Severus Snape, whose true allegiance on the side of good or evil kept readers guessing throughout the seven books, and for Fred Weasley and Professor Remus Lupin.
Dobby first met Harry in the wizard’s second year, when he tried to warn him not to return to Hogwarts. Harry eventually came to appreciate the house-elf’s help and tricked his master, Lucius Malfoy, into freeing him.
Dobby went on to work in the kitchens at Hogwarts for several years.
He died as he rescued Harry, Hermione, Luna and Ron, as well as Dean Thomas, Griphook, and the wandmaker Garrick Ollivander after they had been caught by snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor.
Death eater Bellatrix Lestrange hurled her knife at Dobby and Harry as they “apparated”, hitting him and fatally wounding the elf.
He was buried without magic, in a grave marked “Here Lies Dobby, A Free Elf”.
Twitterati pour out their heartfelt reactions on one of Harry Potter’s biggest well-wisher:
At first I didn’t like Dobby, but I wish I could be more like Dobby, his death in book & on film always makes me cry
— Anna Vancouver (@AnnaRoseVan) May 2, 2018
That answer really touched me, Anna.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2018
Quite an era in book-reading it was, wasn’t it, the #HarryPotter series? Nice reminder. https://t.co/UZam51w8uR
— Petrit Selimi (@Petrit) May 2, 2018
I’ve waited YEARS for this!!! Dobby will always be my favourite 😢 #RIPDobby https://t.co/Tr4cmIDxhq
— Lisa Wilson (@lisawil) May 2, 2018
@jk_rowling I can’t explain why, but THIS death–and I should say *especially* the funeral that followed–THIS one made me burst into tears and put the book at the foot of my bed for the rest of the night.
HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF. https://t.co/P0aTFDEGQ4
— Ellie Gold (@EllieGoldDearie) May 2, 2018
Wands up 💫 https://t.co/Q5u3IieHQy
— sten gwefani (@taylorpercle) May 2, 2018
apology not accepted 😭 https://t.co/6ctMicEIWC
— JUST SOMEONE (@inthisplanet7) May 2, 2018
This is always going to be sad. https://t.co/Wq7hAwjbk1
— Kely Rufino (@kelymrufino) May 2, 2018
It was like being punched in the heart repeatedly 💔 Don’t trust anyone that didn’t cry about Dobby https://t.co/iE80OW0g7K
— Davena Tailor (@DeeDot85) May 2, 2018
I literally didn’t stop crying after Dobby died.. I cried for 2 days 😭💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/oUlVtbv729
— 𝓱𝓪𝓲𝓭𝓮🧡✨ (@Aide424) May 2, 2018
In spite of the abuse he suffered, Dobby was braver and kinder than most pic.twitter.com/N4FxJtPYck
— Marianne (@MyNamesMarianne) May 2, 2018
