I think he definitely was the most tragic and unexpected. He had just broken through to Percy who had not talked to them in a long time and then with a smile on his face he dies.
Dobby:
He was a very good and faithful house elf to Harry and risked his life to save his (not that no one else did) but he really came through in the direst time (when Harry was caught and at the Malfoy's)
Snape:
I didn't much appreciate him through every other book but this one when he turns about to be about the most loyal man in the whole book. He infiltrated Voldemort's own ranks so well that his own side thought he was a death eater.
Tonks:
She was lively and young and had a life to live out with Lupin her new husband. Her death was tragic because she was such a lively character.
Mad Eye:
I had trouble choosing between him and Lupin but I had to choose him because of the fact that he, such a great wizard, died so quickly. He was killed almost instantly when he left the ground on Harry's escort mission.
How about the "Top 5 Pointless Deaths..." Top of the list, Hedwig. What's up with that?
#2 by Calvin Dylan, Jan 19, 2008
Yeah I guess they expected it to be "tragic" but really it was nothing to me... its a bird.... so what it would have died in like 5 years anyway I bet lol