J.K. Rowling, the author of the popular Harry Potter series, has worked up fans again, finally offering an explanation for why Harry named his son after the controversial character Severus Snape who has been mean to him.
The author took to Twitter this week to discuss the much-debated topic among fans of the Harry Potter universe: Is Snape good or evil?
It all started on Friday when a fan tweeted Rowling asking why Harry decided to name his second son Albus Severus Potter, after Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore and potions teacher Severus Snape.
The decision has long been a point of contention among fans, who are divided on whether or not Snape was worthy of the honour.
"Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily (Harry's mother)," Rowling explained. "Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude."
"There's a whole essay in why Harry gave his son Snape's name, but the decision goes to the heart of who Harry was, post-war."
She joked about the passion of her fans shortly afterwards, as Twitter exploded with responses to her announcement.
"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"
When one fan defended Snape, claiming he "held no malice" toward Harry, Rowling was quick to correct them.
"That's not true, I'm afraid. Snape projected his hatred and jealousy of James (Harry's father) onto Harry.
She went on to explain Snape was a complicated character and readers would not be able to label him simply good or evil.
"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"
"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."
Compelled to make a final statement yesterday after returning to Twitter to find the conversation still raging among fans.
She said Snape was "a bully who loved the goodness he sensed" in Harry's mother, but was never able to embody it himself.
"That was his tragedy," she wrote.
She then explained, while he certainly wasn't inherently good, he was a fundamental part of Harry's victory.
"(Snape) could have broken cover at any time to save himself," she said.
"But he chose not to tell Voldemort that the latter was making a fatal error in targeting Harry. Snape's silence ensured Harry's victory.
"Snape deserves both admiration and disapprobation, like most of us."
In an interview with the Guardian last week Rowling admitted she loves the connection Twitter allows her to have with her fans.
"Twitter for me has been an unmixed blessing, trolls included," she said.
"Because there came a point where Harry became so enormous that, at a reading, there were 2000 people.
"You can't answer everyone's question. Twitter gave that back to me. No one has to buy a ticket. It's very democratic."
