In seven books, J.K Rowling broke our hearts. Then again. And again. As readers and believers, we understood that these deaths were necessary, but sometimes, they just weren't fair. With the help of my chief Harry Potter consultant, here is the top seven most heartbreaking deaths in the Harry Potter series. And yes, it does still hurt.

7. Hedwig

"The motorbike zoomed forward; Harry glimpsed hooded Death Eaters scattering as Hagrid blasted through their circle.

Hedwig — Hedwig —

But the owl lay motionless and pathetic as a toy on the floor of her cage.”

Animals will do just about anything to help the people they love. Even Hedwig, Harry's first friend in his new life, lays down her life trying to protect him. Only the good die young.

6. Sirius Black

"There's nothing you can do, Harry ... nothing .... He's gone."

This poor guy. Loses his best friends in one night and then is wrongly convicted for their murders and THEN sent to a prison where he'll spend the rest of his life getting his soul and happy memories sucked out. Finally, when he breaks free and thinks he can start a new beginning with his godson, the only remains of his lost friend James, he too dies.

5. Remus Lupin and Nyphadora Tonks

"Remus and Tonks, pale and still and peaceful-looking, apparently asleep beneath the dark, enchanted ceiling.”

The power couple of the series, elated to welcome their first son, only to die together in the Battle of Hogwarts. Although they lose their lives, they lose them together, leaving a legacy their son can be proud of. I still refuse to believe she was a Hufflepuff.

4. Albus Dumbledore

"Severus... please..."

Oh, Albus. Of course you had your death planned out. Of course you knew exactly when and where you would die, and who would kill you. And yet, it was still just as hard. When the fearless leader falls, hope seems far away. But, your death was the catalyst Harry needed to buck up and get going on destroying Voldemort.

3. Dobby

"Dobby, no, don't die, don't die -"

The elf's eyes found him, and his lips trembled with the effort to form words.

"Harry...Potter..."

This guy. This damn elf. The most innocent character whose only crime was trying to protect Harry Potter. He died in his hero's arms, and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. He was a free elf.

2. Severus Snape

“Albus Severus," Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, "you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.”

A tortured soul who spent his life protecting the son of the woman he loved and the man he hated. HIs let everyone hate him, let everyone think he was evil, when truly, he was a hero.

1. Fred Weasley

"...Fred's eyes stared without seeing, the ghost of his last laugh still etched upon his face.”

Why J.K why? How could you do this to us? You took one of the most lovable, laughable characters and killed him. Not only that, you tore him away from George, gone too soon. But then again, his death proved just how much the Battle at Hogwarts cost, even the life of Fred Weasley.

All was well.