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LONDON (AP) — Harry Potter readers have long wanted to know: Why did the boy wizard choose to honor Severus Snape — a teacher who had been so mean to him?
Author JK Rowling took to Twitter to answer the enduring question on Friday in an exchange with a fan who asked why one of Harry's children received the middle name of Severus.
@jk_rowling Why did you pick Snape to name Harry's kid after? I'm genuinely curious as he was nothing but abusive towards everyone.
— △⃒⃘Jasmine△⃒⃘ (@FrazzyJazzy7) November 27, 2015
The acclaimed author explained that Harry paid tribute to Snape because of "forgiveness and gratitude."
Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily. Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude. https://t.co/MPXBgUApa3
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
I've got to say this: you lot have been arguing about Snape for years. My timeline just exploded with love & fury yet again. Never change x
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Though Snape bullied Harry, he also saved him.
Snape is all grey. You can't make him a saint: he was vindictive & bullying. You can't make him a devil: he died to save the wizarding world
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Rowling says that by honoring Snape, "Harry hoped in his heart that he too would be forgiven. The deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts would haunt Harry forever."
In honouring Snape, Harry hoped in his heart that he too would be forgiven. The deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts would haunt Harry forever.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Rowling's seven Harry Potter novels have sold more than 450 million copies and been made into eight films.
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