J.K. Rowling Apologizes For Killing Dobby

May 2 has special significance in the Harry Potter universe. It's the day that the Battle of Hogwarts took place. Each year, author J.K. Rowling commemorates the occasion by apologizing for killing a character from the acclaimed magical series.

This year, Rowling apologized for killing the beloved and courageous elf Dobby. "It's that anniversary again," Rowling wrote. "This year, I apologize for killing someone who didn't die during the Battle of Hogwarts, but who laid down his life to save the people who'd win it. I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf."

Dobby met his end heroically. He was mortally wounded by Bellatrix Lestrange, but before dying he saved the lives of Harry and Griphook by apparating them.

Last year, Rowling apologized for killing Snape; the year before that it was Remus Lupin, and in 2015 it was Fred Weasley.

The next Harry Potter movie, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, opens in theaters in November. It is a prequel to the original series and focuses on the character Newt Scamander.