It started simply enough, with a fan asking Harry Potter scribe J.K. Rowling why her hero would possibly name his son after one of the series’ more divisive characters, the scowling Potions master, Severus Snape. “Why did you pick Snape to name Harry’s kid after?” tweeted the fan, adding, “I’m genuinely curious as he was nothing but abusive towards everyone.”
It wasn’t long before the ever-communicative author responded:
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
You’d think that this answer would satisfy most readers, especially since no matter how much bitching they do, there’s absolutely nothing they can do to change the fact that Harry Potter named one of his three kids Albus Severus Potter.
Of course, this is the Internet we’re talking about here, so nothing is ever easy. As soon as Rowling responded to the lucky fan, her Twitter timeline, as she later put it, “exploded with love & fury yet again.” As always seems to be the case, Rowling’s fans were of two minds about the decision. Some were touched by Harry’s gesture of forgiveness, but several outspoken Tweeters were annoyed that the author would overlook a more overtly moral choice (like Neville, Dobby or Lupin) in favor of a guy who was generally just a big dick to everyone around him.
From there, things got heated, especially when Snape was hit with the much-despised moniker: “bully”. Fortunately, J.K. Rowling loves to preside over the debate; she seems to revel in her readers’ passion. She was an active participant throughout the entire conversation, responding to critiques with the unfailing grace for which she is known, not an easy feat when you’re limited to 140 characters or less.
You can check out the entire blow-by-blow right here.