User blog:Bchwood/13th Anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts

Boy, time sure does fly. Today, May 2, marks the 13th anniversary of the epic Battle of Hogwarts. It was ultimately victory over Lord Voldemorte and the powers of darkness, but it was a pyrric victory for sure- costing the lives of many beloved characters (SPOILER ALERT).

So today seems like a fitting time to pay tribute to the fallen:

Colin Creevey

During his first year at Hogwarts, the excitable Colin was always quick to snap a photo with his trusty camera, a fact that made him something of a nuisance for the impatient Harry. He spent the rest of his first year paralyzed at the hands of the dreaded Basilisk, but he eventually regained his strength and went on to fall under Harry's leadership as a member of Dumbledore's Army. Sadly, Colin's training wasn't enough to keep him alive when the Death Eaters stormed Hogwarts in his sixth year; he was discovered dead outside the castle grounds by Oliver Wood and Neville Longbottom.

Nymphadora Tonks

As a Metamorphmagus — someone who can alter their physical appearance at will without the use of Polyjuice or other means — Tonks was gifted with one of my personal favorite abilities featured throughout the "Potter" universe. But her transformative skills weren't enough to save her from the wrath of her wicked aunt Bellatrix Lestrange, who killed Tonks during the Battle of Hogwarts. It was made all the more tragic considering that Tonks had recently given birth to a son, Teddy.

Remus Lupin

Lupin, one of James Potter's closest friends and a mentor to Harry since his yearlong stint as Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, suffered an off-page demise at the hands of a Death Eater. As Tonks' husband, Lupin's death meant that their son Teddy would grow up without either parent at his side. Thankfully, the Metamorphmagus and the Lycanthrope named Harry as Teddy's godfather, ensuring that the newborn wizard would live happily and healthily.

Fred Weasley

Is there a more shocking, saddening death in all of "Potter" than Fred Weasley's? Just months after his trickster twin lost his ear in the midst of combat, it was Fred who paid the ultimate price during the Battle of Hogwarts. Even though the Weasley brothers were separated by death, Fred's legacy continued on when George eventually had a son and named him after his fallen twin. Hanky please.

Severus Snape

Perhaps the least appreciated hero of them all due to his enigmatic nature, Severus Snape died from the venomous bite of Lord Voldemort's snake and horcrux host Nagini, but not before he was able to gift Harry with his memories — memories that proved once and for all that Snape was a Dumbledore loyalist to the end, motivated by his love for Lily Evans, Harry's mother. Though he hated him in life, Harry immediately learned to embrace and appreciate Snape, a man built entirely upon uncompromising loyalty, strenuous sacrifice and a deep, cold loneliness.

For his personal sacrifice throughout, the loss of Severus Snape was the saddest for me.

What about you? Who were you saddest to see go and why?