Why did J.K. Rowling make Slughorn use the name, "Rupert" in the HBP?

Question

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, on page 485 (After the Burial) Professor Slughorn is talking about how he checked for poisons in the drinks when they're at Hagrid's hut after Aragog died. Maybe she did it to make a reference or something or maybe she did it on accident. If you know, tell me :)

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

It was kinda like Barty Crouch was calling Percy 'Weatherby;' she just wanted a name sorta like Ron but not exactly so you would get the point that he didn't remember him.

Source(s):

for everyone that doesn't wanna look it up, ill type the passage HERE:

"Had a house-elf taste every bottle after what happened to your poor friend Rupert."