J.K. Rowling Finally Apologized For the Most Heart-Wrenching Death in 'Harry Potter'

Seventeen years after Fred Weasley's death, his killer expressed penitence for what she'd done. It may have been explosives that took the beloved Harry Potter character away from his family, but the real culprit was a swish of J.K. Rowling's pen.

On the anniversary of the fictional Battle of Hogwarts, which took place on May 2, 1998 in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Rowling tweeted an apology Saturday for one of the many deaths from that day. Judging by the overwhelming number of retweets and favorites, fans were appreciative.

It's been eight years after Hallows broke so many young hearts with over a dozen character deaths. Yet Rowling saying something now fits her M.O. completely. She's the master of extending the Potter universe with a quip or a tweet. This is the woman who stunned the world with three simple words: "Dumbledore is gay." The books didn't just end; she's consistently kept the narrative alive. With a fanbase as rabid as Potterheads, that's arguably necessary.

Of course, a new Potter book — either prequel or sequel — would do much more to satiate the fans. Until then, however, we can at least expect a new bit of catharsis every May 2.