"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling has finally revealed why Harry named his son after Severus Snape.
When the final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" came out eight years ago, fans were upset to find out that Harry named his second son, Albus Severus Potter, after Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore and the spiteful potions professor Severus Snape.
"Why did you pick Snape to name Harry's kid after? I'm genuinely curious as he was nothing but abusive towards everyone" wrote a one of Rowling's Twitter followers, according to TIME.
"Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily," Rowling replied. "Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude."
Rowling's answer then set off a huge debate among fans on Twitter while Rowling told them all to "never change."
"I've got to say this: you lot have been arguing about Snape for years," Rowling wrote on Twitter after discussing Snape. "My timeline just exploded with love & fury yet again. Never change."
Rowling then went on to discuss Snape's character and why Harry would have honored him.
"Snape is all grey," she wrote. "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," Rowling continued. "The deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts would haunt Harry forever."
Check out all the tweets from Rowling below.
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
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
This morning I've been thinking a lot about the appeal of simple dichotomies in our messy world, then you raise Snape! Highly appropriate. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
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
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
Snape was a bully who loved the goodness he sensed in Lily without being able to emulate her. That was his tragedy. https://t.co/nzWhNrBxdH
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Snape didn't die for 'ideals'. He died in an attempt to expiate his own guilt. He could have broken cover at any time to save himself 1/2 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
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. 2/2
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
Harry chose to perpetuate the names of the two who had nobody in their families to do so. https://t.co/uwQVA9Tz9O — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 27, 2015
