Yes, we all love J.K Rowling. She gave us seven amazing Harry Potter books and now she’s announced a new tale – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – which will debut as a play in London next year. But that doesn’t mean J.K. Rowling hasn’t broken our hearts over the years.
Many a tear has been dripped onto the pages of Harry Potter books across the world. From deaths of characters to unfair situations, we’ve read them and sobbed over them. Now it’s time to get your tissues at the ready again as we list the top 18 times J.K. Rowling broke our hearts:
18. When Rita Skeeter made us question Albus Dumbledore
After Professor Dumbledore’s death (sniff) we didn’t think there could be anything to upset us more. Then that evil Rita Skeeter went and wrote the Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. We all wanted to ignore it, but a little voice in our head still wondered if anything she wrote was true.
17. When Peter Pettigrew’s hesitation in killing Harry cost him his life
As Ron and Harry try to escape their prison at the Malfoy manor Wormtail tries to stop them by strangling Harry. Harry reminds Pettigrew that he once saved his life, which causes him to hesitate. Upon this hesitation, when we suddenly feel gratitude to Wormtail, his silver hand turns on him and strangles him to death.
16. Sirius feeling like a prison in his own home
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoneix you see Sirius become more and more depressed as he’s left alone in the Black house. You can’t help but feel heartbroken for him. Especially when everyone leaves after Christmas.
15. When we found out how Remus Lupin became a werewolf
It was a heartbreaking tale when we discovered that Lupin’s werewolf bite was due to his father insulting the werewolf Fenir Greyback. Greyback bit Remus, who was just a child at the time, as revenge.
14. When we found out how Dumbledore’s sister died
Not only was poor Ariana Dumbledore attacked by muggle boys when she was six leaving her highly traumitised and her magic uncontrollable, she accidentally killed her mother when she 14 when she released a burst of magic. She was killed during a three-way dual between Albus, Aberforth and Gellert Grindelwald. A stray curse hit her, but it is not known who was responsible.
13. When Sirius asked Harry to live with him
It should have been a moment of joy when Sirius, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, asked Harry to live with him after his name was cleared. Sadly though, Wormtail escaped meaning Sirius had to continue to stay on the run while Harry returned to the Dursleys.
12. Colin Creevey’s death
Colin Creevey was to be sent home during the Battle of Hogwarts as he was underage. However he snuck in to fight with his fellow members of Dumbledore’s Army, he was killed by a death eater.
11. Mad Eye Moody’s death
As the Order of the Phoenix attempted to escape Harry from his home with the Dursleys in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows they were ambushed by Lord Voldemort and his death eaters. Mad Eye Moody was hit by a killing curse from Lord Voldemort and fell from the skies.
10. When Hagrid had to carry Harry’s ‘dead’ body
After Lord Voldemort believes he’s killed Harry he makes Hagrid carry his body to flaunt in front of the others at Hogwarts castle. It is a heart-wrenching read, even if we do know Harry’s alive.
9. Harry’s ‘death’
Just for a moment, when Lord Voldemort’s killing curse hit Harry, we thought it was all over. We sobbed, read on, and realised he was okay. Then we cried more.
8. Cedric Diggory’s death
Kill the spare – the moment when the Harry Potter series took a much darker turn. This was the first time we’d witnessed a good character being killed before our eyes. And for no reason other than he was a spare.
7. Tonks and Lupin’s death
The last of James Potter’s school friends, Remus Lupin and his wife Nymphadora (Tonks) Lupin were meant to live happily ever after with their son Teddy. It was not to be, they were both murdered during the Battle of Hogwarts
6. Hedwig’s death
During the escape of the seven Potters Hedwig, our favourite owl, was hit by a stray killing curse. It was both shocking and heartbreaking.
5. Dobby’s death
Sweet, innocent Dobby. Why did he have to die? Oh the tears. And when Harry carved “Here Lies Dobby a Free Elf” on his gravestone, there was some major sobbing.
4. The death of Albus Dumbledore
You had to read it over and over again, no way could the legendary Albus Dumbledore be dead? Worse still, poor Harry had to watch it all unable to help as Snape uttered the curse.
3. Fred Weasley’s death
This still breaks our hearts, Fred Weasley was killed during an explosion in the Battle of Hogwarts. Reading as his family cried over his body will haunt us forever. Even J.K. Rowling has apologised to fans for this death.
2. Severus Snape’s death and his tear memory
We hated Professor Snape from the start. He was mean. We were sure he was evil. And he killed Dumbledore. Except, we were all wrong. That tear he shed after Nagini attacked him was the key to Snape’s memories and his actions all along. He WAS helping Dumbledore and for one reason only – his love for Lily Evans. The truth was heart-breaking and elevated Snape to a be a favourite with fans. Always.
1. Sirius Black’s death
Sirius Black couldn’t be dead, that would be too cruel. He was Harry’s missing father figure. Taking him away would be a terrible thing to do to Harry. Except he was dead. At the end of the Order of the Phoenix, Harry was tricked into going to the ministry where they were confronted by Lord Voldemort and death eaters. Sirius and the rest of the order came to rescue Harry and his friends. It was to be Black’s last mission as he was hit by a curse from Bellatrix Lestrange and fell through the Veil to his death.
