This year, J.K. Rowling is apologizing for the death of a beloved character from the Harry Potter series: Dobby the house elf. In a tweet posted on May 2nd, 2018, Rowling wrote, “I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf, who laid down his life to save the people who’d win the Battle of Hogwarts.”
Dobby first appeared in the second book of the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, as a house elf enslaved by the Malfoy family. He was freed by Harry Potter and eventually became a loyal friend and ally. In the seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dobby sacrificed himself to save Harry and his friends from the evil wizard Bellatrix Lestrange.
In her tweet, Rowling expressed her sorrow for killing a character who did not die during the Battle of Hogwarts, but instead gave his life to save the people who would ultimately win it. Rowling’s apology was met with an outpouring of love and support from fans of the series, who thanked her for creating such a beloved character.
Dobby’s death was a heartbreaking moment for fans of the series, but his selfless act of heroism is an example of the power of friendship and loyalty. Rowling’s apology is a reminder of the impact Dobby had on readers, and a testament to the power of her writing.