J.K. Rowling has solved one of the most perplexing Harry Potter mysteries.
Spoiler alert!
In the epilogue of the last book in her series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was adapted into the final two movies in the franchise, it is revealed Harry's middle child is named Albus Severus. His name pays tribute to the Hogwarts headmaster and his friend Albus Dumbledore and to Professor Severus Snape, who made his life pretty difficult.
Oh yeah, and there was that other thing: He killed Dumbledore. So there's that.
So why honor Snape?
"Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily," Rowling tweeted on Friday, in response to a fan's question about it, referring to Harry's mother and Snape's childhood love. "Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude."
This of course sparked a renewed debate about Snape among fans.
"Snape projected his hatred and jealousy of James onto Harry," Rowling tweeted.
"In honoring Snape, Harry hoped in his heart that he too would be forgiven. The deaths at the Battle of Hogwarts would haunt Harry forever," she added. "Harry chose to perpetuate the names of the two who had nobody in their families to do so."