JK Rowling explains why Harry gave his son Snape's name

Harry Potter named his middle child Albus Severus Potter but some fans have wondered why he paid tribute to Snape.

JK Rowling has been clearing a few things up on Twitter and it was done "in forgiveness and gratitude" because he died for Harry out of love for Lily.

Jo-Ro explained "you lot have been arguing about Snape for years. My timeline just exploded with love & fury yet again."

Albus Severus Potter will be the focus of the The Cursed Child next year.

The play set in the wizarding world will begin 19 years later than the books. It is most likely to pick up after the epilogue at the end of the Deathly Hallows.

Severus Snape was Harry's most hated teacher and went to school with his parents.

He's surrounded by mystery over whether he's on the side of the Order of the Phoenix or Lord Voldemort.

JK Rowling tweeted: Snape died for Harry out of love for Lily. Harry paid him tribute in forgiveness and gratitude.

She continued: 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.

"He died to save the wizarding world" was one tweet that stuck out for fans.

She went on: 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.

Her final point was: 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

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

When JK revealed the plot behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, she explained: "To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question - why isn't Cursed Child a new novel?

"I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story."

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