Well, I finished my exams last week – I've started my A2 courses now! But, I've finally had some free time (after I slept the weekend away too).
I hope you enjoy it. I've decided to attempt to finish this before Half-Blood Prince is published, so the next few chapters (I'd estimate between three and five) will probably be somewhat bitty. I expect the next chapter will cover the remainder of the pregnancy (with a few extra bits – Radella and Alura's labour and the issues around that). The chapter afterwards will be about the births and immediately afterwards. One chapter covering a few bits (one is one of Kat's previous visions) not to mention the kids themselves. Then possibly another chapter about the kids (maybe) and some comments about the Order and such. Then the final chapter. Fun.
Also, I'll be writing a one-shot, Fifteen Years, which is also Part 1½ of Curses, Prophecies and the Elemental Guardians. This will compose of several separate scenes showing some key moments that are non-Harry's Point of View that happen over the fifteen years in between Voldemort's first defeat and Harry's sixth-year.
To those who asked, this obviously means there's a sequel. It will, of course, be AU, but this entire story is. I've made a start on it so I'm not too influenced by the start of Half-Blood Prince. The title (currently) is Harry Potter and the Elemental Warriors.
This is also in celebration of the fact that it's only one month until Half-Blood Prince is released! I'm going to try and finish this around new homework!
Enjoy!
Chapter 39: PregnancyNovember 1986 passed fairly quickly and surprisingly quietly – Voldemort's ritual in October seemed to have slowed the attacks. They still occurred, but the attacks were minor in comparison with those of other times.
Of course, there were other things that were concerning people…
XXXXX
5th December 1986:
Lily grinned at James as she entered the kitchen. She'd had indigestion the previous day and had felt dreadful. So here he was, making her breakfast. Bacon, eggs, sausage, beans, toast, black pudding…
Suddenly, Lily turned green and ran from the kitchen to the nearest toilet. There, she emptied the contents of her stomach.
James approached her, concerned, and held her head, rubbing her back soothingly as she threw up. He didn't say anything, just waited for her to finish.
Lily stopped, looking dejected as she stood and flushed the toilet, then rinsed her hands and mouth.
"Is my cooking that bad?" James joked.
She shook her head tiredly. "I just… I don't know. I must have a bug."
"Come on, you sit in the living room. You still feeling sick?"
Lily shook her head. "No, that's what's weird. I'm kinda hungry…"
"I'll bring you some toast. If you can cope with that at all, we'll try you on something more filling. Anyone had any bugs recently?" James asked.
She shook her head. "Not heard of anything. 'Lura's got a cold, but then she's pregnant."
"How many months is she now?" James asked from the kitchen.
"About five." Lily responded. "She's into the craving stage. Damion's not enjoying it much."
James sniggered. "I know." He entered with a plate of buttered toast. "Here. Tea, coffee or juice?"
"Just some water, James." Lily replied, taking a bite of toast. She waited a few moments. Fine, no nausea, nothing. She continued eating.
James came in with her water to find an empty plate.
"I think I could eat some more now." Lily grinned.
XXXXX
10th December 1986:
Alice suddenly ran out of Moody's office, clutching a hand to her mouth.
The others stared after her.
Frank looked apologetic. "Er, if I…"
"Longbottom, attend to your wife." Moody ordered.
Frank dashed out.
"That concludes it." James stated. "There's got to be some bug going round. Lily's been ill the past few days too."
Kat smirked. "Just sick?" She asked.
Lily nodded. "Just a bit of indigestion and tummy ache. Why, Kathryn? What do you know?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Nothing, nothing!" Kathryn put her hands up in gesture of non-combat.
Frank and Alice returned a few minutes later.
"Sorry. Must've been something I ate." Alice apologised.
"Never mind. Can we get back to work?" Moody glared.
XXXXX
18th December 1986:
Sirius woke up to the sound of retching coming from their en-suite bathroom. He groaned.
"That's the eleventh time in the past fortnight, Kat." Sirius stated as he got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. "You'll either come to St. Mungo's willingly, or I'll drag you there."
Kat's only response was to retch harder, tears streaming down her face.
Sirius looked at her and softened. "I'm calling in, Kat. I'm not going to see you like this for another morning. We need an explanation!"
"It… It's just a bug, Sirius." Kat responded weakly, rinsing out her mouth and splashing her face.
"Kat, I hate seeing you in pain. Please. I'll call in and say you're sick and I need to take you to hospital. We're being given Christmas off anyway, after working last year. Please, sweetheart."
Finally, Kat nodded.
"Great, you feel up to something to eat?"
"So long as I'm not cooking, sure." Kat replied.
Sirius laughed, and went downstairs to Floo headquarters.
XXXXX
"What are her symptoms?" The witch at the information desk asked.
"Vomiting yet still feeling up to eating, and tiredness. She's been sick for the past two weeks. Refused to come in." Sirius answered.
The witch gave Kathryn a cursory look, then gave a mischievous grin as she made a guess. Kathryn looked at her oddly.
"Magical Bugs is probably the best place to go then. Enter the waiting room on that floor with a description of her symptoms. You might be referred." She stated.
"Thank you." Sirius smiled.
He held onto his wife's hand firmly as they entered the lift and got out on the second floor. The waiting room was right by the door.
Kathryn sat as Sirius spoke to the Healer at the desk.
"It's funny," she stated as he came back to her. "I've never been on this floor of St. Mungo's before."
Sirius nodded. "He's referred us downstairs to Creature-induced Injuries. There'll be a Healer in the open ward to work out what's wrong."
Kathryn nodded as they went down a floor.
The Healer waiting for them was a plump woman with a cheerful face. She smiled brightly as they entered.
"Mr and Mrs Black?" She asked.
Kathryn nodded. She was still surprised to hear herself as 'Mrs Black', but never tired of it.
"Right then, Mr Black, if you'd wait here, I'll give your wife an examination." The Healer stated, pulling curtains around one of the beds. "I'm Healer Barak."
Sirius was unwilling to wait outside for Kathryn, but was silenced by a look. A silencing charm went up on the curtains.
"Well, then, Mrs Black. Tell me again, what your symptoms are?" She asked.
"I've been vomiting some mornings for about two weeks. I've been eating more despite that. And I've been getting tired much more easily."
"Your profession?" The Healer asked.
"I'm an Auror." Kathryn replied, surprised.
The woman looked up, startled. "Oh! You're that Mrs Black. Formerly Orenda?" Kathryn nodded. "I was so sorry to hear about your brother. I was one of his teachers."
Kathryn looked down, nodding.
"Well then, anything else? Any medication you had been taking that you're no longer taking? Anything different you've had to eat recently?" The Healer asked.
Kathryn frowned. "I don't think so…"
"May I ask what menstrual cycle you have?"
Kathryn looked up, surprised at the question. "Five weeks, but what's that got to do with the price of peas in Paris?"
The Healer gave her an almost patronising look. "When was your last period?"
Kathryn frowned, then began counting back. Suddenly her eyes widened. "I'm three weeks overdue!"
Healer Barak smiled knowingly. "I thought you might be."
"Am I… Could I be…"
"Pregnatio manifestum!" The woman incanted.
A shimmering white light appeared and settled over Kat's stomach.
"Well?" Kathryn asked.
The Healer grinned. "Yes, Mrs Black you're six weeks pregnant."
Kathryn stared at her for a moment, then jumped off the bed, ripped open the curtains and seized Sirius in a happy kiss.
He looked startled when she broke away. "Not that I'm complaining, but… what was that for?"
"I'm pregnant."
Sirius stared for a moment. "You're… you're pregnant?"
Kathryn nodded, biting her lip in worry.
"I'm going to be a daddy?" Sirius asked.
She nodded.
Suddenly he whooped and swung her around. "I'm going to be a dad!"
Healer Barak smiled as she watched the two soon-to-be parents celebrate with a kiss.
"I take it you're pleased."
"More than." Sirius hugged Kathryn from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder (having to bend several inches to do so).
"Well then, there are a few things you need to know first."
XXXXX
19th December 1986:
Healer Barak looked at the couple in amusement. They were the third couple in as many days she'd informed were pregnant. And all Aurors?
"Must be an epidemic." She murmured grinning.
"What, pregnancy?" Lily Potter asked her.
Barak grinned. "You're the third couple in three days I've found to be pregnant. We're going to be busy at the end of July."
Lily grinned. "You are. I don't suppose you can tell us who's pregnant?"
Barak shook her head. "No, Healer-patient confidentiality. Do you want to know the gender?"
James shook his head. "We already know. A little boy called Harry James Potter."
Barak looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"You've heard of Kathryn Orenda?" James asked.
"I taught her brother, I ought to have."
"Well, when she awoke from her coma, she started ranting about 'Harry Potter', about whom she'd read. We got it out of her that he's my son. Our son." He looked at Lily lovingly, then let out a laugh.
"What?"
"Remember what Kat said on the train at the end of sixth-year? You're Harry's mum! She was telling the truth! 'Course, I knew I was going to marry you since I was eleven, so I knew she was right anyway." He grinned cockily.
Lily rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a suffering smile. "By the way, since when is our son's middle name James?"
"Since forever!" James stated. "Family tradition, first-born gets his dad's first name as his middle name."
"Oh."
Barak smiled. "It's common practise to have a tradition in naming children among pureblood families, Mrs Potter. The Blacks often follow astronomical names, or occasionally floral names. The Malfoys and Snapes favour Latin. The Orendas favoured their children with middle names that were either Old English or Celtic. And I know Jack was what he called himself. His real name's Janyd." She smirked as the two of them looked surprised. "I doubt even his sister knows that. For some reason he hated it. The Prewetts chose names with specific meanings. The Changs moved here two generations back – their family has always favoured names with classical meanings. They had a little girl a few months ago – Cho meaning butterfly. They already had a son, Katsu meaning victory."
Lily stared. "Do you like names, by any chance?"
"When you hear some of the considerations of prospective parents, you get interested in names." Healer Barak explained. "Especially with one like my own. My surname means lightning."
"Really? That's cool." James grinned. Suddenly he caught Lily in a hug, swinging her around the room.
"We're going to have a baby!"
XXXXX
Christmas was startlingly quiet. Dumbledore told them that Voldemort was concentrating his efforts elsewhere, Moody told them not to get complacent, and Kathryn suggested that they ought to be happy that they were getting so much time to prepare.
All the same, the Marauders and Enchanted gathered at the Potters' ancestral home in Scotland, greeting James' parents.
Kathryn took parcels to her parents as she and Sirius visited them on Christmas Eve for dinner and to give the good news. Everyone else in the family was there except the twins, who were working in Egypt for Gringotts. Sirius joked that there wouldn't be any tombs left for the next generation to open. Kathryn remarked slyly on her younger brother's best friend – Paul and Bill had become close friends. While Leila was following her elder brother in Healing, Paul (and Bill) wanted to follow Joseph and Jonah into curse-breaking for Gringotts finding their stories exciting.
Her parents, of course, had been delighted.
Paul had had a very funny reaction. Nearly thirteen, he had wailed.
"Oh, I'm too young to be an uncle! Too, too young! I'll be old and gnarled like Sirius before you know it!"
To which Sirius proceeded to tickle his young brother-in-law to death, much to his wife's amusement.
Still, today was Christmas Day, and they were all determined to enjoy it…
XXXXX
Griffin's Roost, Christmas Day:
"Welcome to Griffin's Roost." James stated, waving an arm.
Suddenly, the large castle appeared, iron-wrought gates a foot behind James. Two griffins stood on the poles that held them.
"Permit me, James Harold Potter, Heir to the Potter holdings and first-born son of Harold and Paige Potter, to enter with my friends on this day." He commanded, speaking to the griffins.
"You may pass with your friends, Sir Potter." The right-hand griffin spoke.
"Only those who love thee as family shall find these gates again." The left warned.
The gates swung open.
James grinned. "C'mon. It's cold out here."
Kathryn stared. She had never been to Griffin's Roost.
"I never knew you were this bloody rich, Prongs!" She stated.
James shrugged. "Never came up."
"That you live in a bloody castle?"
"Might I point out that you grew up in a manor house – with wings?" James raised a brow.
Kathryn waved a hand. "Pish-tush. That's beside the point. Anyway, you knew."
"So did you."
"I wouldn't remember being here!"
"Ah."
"Finally, now, the two of you, stop arguing!" Lily snapped.
Kathryn looked affronted and surprised. "Fine then."
Sirius frowned, looking at James, who was now whispering into Lily's ear. There was something decidedly odd about her…
Sighing, he shrugged. He wasn't going to perform complex magic today. His tie to the earth meant he had a certain skill at deciphering certain problems with women (something to do with 'Mother Earth' he bet, either way, it had been very useful with Kat), but it wasn't worth the hassle today.
"James, Lily!" Paige smiled as the group entered, pulling her son into a hug, and then her daughter-in-law. "Everything's set up. If you put the gifts under the tree in the living room, and Christmas dinner will be served at one o'clock in the dining room."
"Dining room or our magnificent Banqueting Hall?" James teased.
"The dining room, you silly idiot. We only use the Hall for special occasions – weddings, balls, blessings…" She gave Lily a sly look, to which Lily blushed.
Blessings were the wizarding equivalent to christenings and the like. Since the wizarding world did not follow any particular religion, but had origins (at least in Britain) with the Ancient Celts and druids, they called upon magic and nature to bless and accept their child's name. A godparent was named as such because of it being 'in the eyes of the gods', rather than the Christian God. Still, it worked well if you happened to have Muggle relatives – godparents were exactly the same in either world, if stronger in the magical one (they were practically uncles and aunts to the children). Christmas and Easter were based on the old pagan festivals of Yule and Ostara – Midwinter and the Spring Equinox. The wizarding world adopted the names in an attempt to make the Muggle-borns feel more comfortable. It was also easier in school.
James just smirked. "Come on. We'll be allowed to open one present before dinner, and the rest afterwards – family tradition, I'm afraid. Drove me nuts when I was a kid. Still, it makes Christmas Day last a long time."
"Fine." Kathryn sighed, wishing they could get to the fun first.
After unshrinking their numerous gifts and placing them under the large tree in the 'family' living room (there was a formal parlour nearer the front of the castle), James proceeded to give them a tour of the castle. With a ballroom, Banquet/Great Hall, parlour, 'servants' hall', numerous bedrooms, guards' rooms, armoury, two libraries, 'treasure trove' (holding numerous jewels and suchlike, magicked and plain), 'magic room' (holding many ancient magical items), potions lab and large kitchen, the group was left with little doubt that not only were the Potters rich in love, they were rich in money as well.
Still, Kathryn had always loved stately homes, and enjoyed looking around it.
"This place must be extremely well-protected with so much in it." Damion observed.
James nodded. "You can only find it if you know where to look, only with a Potter can you be let in, and then only if you mean the family no harm. You can't enter in animal form whether transfigured or an animagus. Anti-Apparition wards means no one can arrive through them, but you can Apparate within them and out through them. Only specific portkeys can get through, and then only by a family member or a wife, like Lily." He smiled. "There are numerous other protections, but this place is safer than Hogwarts, in that few actually realise where the Potter ancestral home is, or what it is. There normally is one, but the younger generations tend to buy homes."
"Don't tell me you have properties across the world." Kathryn groaned.
James smirked. "Nope. We own part shares in a string of magical hotels in America, so we can always get rooms. There's a small villa in Greece and another in Italy. A cottage in France. That's it."
"Oh, that's such a small amount."
"Pah, Kathryn, the Blacks are much richer than the Potters!" Sirius informed her, putting on his 'falsely superior' air that he always attributed the impressions of his family.
Kathryn grinned. "But weren't you disowned?"
"Not technically. The fortune doesn't go to anyone else. Always the first-born son." Sirius explained. "Unless the Head dies with only a daughter, but that hasn't happened yet. We normally have at least one son."
"Lovely." Kat sank into his arms and looked up with a deliberately vapid expression. "I knew there was a reason I married you."
"You mean it wasn't for my extreme prowess in the bedroom?" Sirius bit back a gasp mockingly.
"Well, that may have been part of it…"
The others were laughing at their antics.
"Dinner's served!" Harold called.
It was almost a relief.
The family dining room was more comfortable and informal than the public one, decorated magnificently for the occasion. The heavy, long, oak table was covered in a tablecloth and full of sumptuous foods. A massive turkey (a tradition the wizarding world had picked up from the Muggles – plus the Potters liked turkey), roast potatoes, steaming boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, steamed Brussels sprouts, carrots, roasted parsnips, bacon, boats full of gravy and more littered the table.
Harold smiled at the end of the table. "I bid thee welcome and please eat of our table."
James and Lily stepped forward. "We accept thy hospitality gladly, Father."
Kathryn and Sirius. "We thank thee kindly for thy hospitality, Lord Potter."
"We will partake of your table happily, Lord Potter." Damion smiled, his had clasped with Alura's.
Remus stepped forward alone, feeling a little empty. "I thank you and partake of your table gladly, Lord Potter."
"Then sit, pray." Harold ordered.
The group descended on the table.
Peter was not there – he was having Christmas with his own family. It had surprised the other Marauders since (except for James' two-year absence) they had eaten Christmas dinner together since their third-year.
As they ate, they chatted and laughed, discussing work, holidays and future plans. They were into dessert when talk turned to Alura and her baby.
"When's it due?" Paige asked.
"April. I'm nearly six months now." Alura smiled. "Of course, if he or she is anything like their brother, they'll be out early." She smiled at her young son, sat in his carry-chair on a chair beside her.
"And speaking of babies…" James grinned, after Lily had whispered in his ear. "We have an announcement."
The others all turned to stare, and Sirius was forcibly reminded of Lily's earlier distemper. She couldn't be…
"At the end of July, James and I will be having a baby boy." Lily smiled.
Kathryn, realising it, jumped up and ran to her friend, hugging her fiercely. Lily didn't see her friend's wicked look.
"Oooh! Lily, that's wonderful!" Kathryn cried.
Lily nodded, laughing as her friend proceeded to hug her stomach, saying, "Hey, Harry, I'm your Auntie Kat, your evil Uncle Sirius' wife."
Sirius spluttered indignantly.
"Harry?" Paige enquired, confused.
James nodded. "Well, Kat knew from her dreams anyway, but it was the name we'd have picked anyway. Harry James Potter. Harry for his granddaddy," here he grinned at his father, "and his great-granddaddy." He grinned at Lily.
"My grandfather was named Harailt, but known as Harry." Lily explained. "I was very close to him until he died when I was ten."
The others nodded.
"I think it's a splendid name." Remus stated.
"You'd know all about names, though, wouldn't you?" Sirius smirked. "A man with a name like Remus Lupin, a werewolf? Never!"
Remus gave a laugh, one of the few genuine ones since Radella had been taken into hospital. "I do sometimes consider that my parents cursed me."
"Got a brother called Romulus?" Kathryn asked.
Remus shook his head. "Nope."
"Then he won't kill you in an argument about founding a city." Kathryn smirked. In her mind, though, another thought reigned.
'But one you considered a brother will destroy us for fifteen years.'
XXXXX
It was not until present unwrapping that the excitement over Lily's announcement had died down.
"Oh, Lily, it's beautiful!" Alura cried as she opened the box that contained a butterfly necklace on a delicate chain.
Lily smiled. "I thought you'd like it. I had the feeling this one's going to be a girl, and maybe it could be passed down to her when she's old enough."
Alura clapped her hands in delight. "It's perfect. Particularly as you'll be this one's godmother."
Lily froze. "What?"
Alura laughed. "Well, who else would I choose? Radella was already made godmother to Robbie here." She tickled her son's tummy. The eight-month-old was happily sitting on a play mat, giggling every once in a while at the antics of the 'adults' around him.
"Thank you, 'Lura, Damion." Lily smiled.
"Hey, she picked the godmother!" Damion put up his hands in defeat. "Remus, old man, how do you feel about playing godfather?"
Remus looked up, startled. "What, but my…"
"We don't give two shi – er – shots about your lycanthropy, Remus." Damion stated, after earning a glare from his wife about language around the children. "You'll make a grand godfather, particularly as we all know James will choose Sirius."
James nodded mock-morosely. "How careless of me! That hag-begotten pact!"
Sirius looked mock-wounded. "What, you don't want me to godfather your first-born son, James? No!"
Lily laughed. "Yes, you're it, Sirius. And Kathryn, if you will?"
Kathryn nodded, smiling. "I'd be delighted."
"Time for another present, I think." Harold stated, grinning, and pulled out a book-shaped present, frowning. "Erm, this is to 'Baby Black'?"
Sirius rose, as if looking for something. "Baby Black, Baby Black. Kathryn, now where did we put Baby Black?"
Lily's eyes widened. "No…"
Kathryn grinned mischievously. "Why, dear husband, I do believe Baby Black is not in any position to be put anywhere at the moment."
"Oh, really, I thought I forgotten her."
"Him."
"One or the other."
"Got to be really, hasn't it?" Kathryn smirked.
Lily looked at her best friend steadily, her eyes noting the glow around her friend. "You're pregnant?"
Kathryn fluttered her eyelashes. "Of course!"
Lily squealed, as did Alura, and the three pregnant women gathered each other in a group hug.
"Nice delivery." James smirked, clapping Sirius on the back.
"We thought so too. Couldn't do anything as normal as 'I have an announcement' now, could we?" Sirius grinned at his friend.
"Congratulations you two." Damion shook their hands. "How's morning sickness?"
The men shuddered in unison. "Horrible."
Harold grabbed his son and pseudo-son with each arm. "Don't worry. It stops in a few weeks. Just wait until the cravings start."
"The swollen ankles."
"The mood swings."
"Tears, irrationality."
"Sex."
The two younger men stared at Harold.
"What? Some women get exceptionally horny when they're pregnant. It's the hormones." Harold explained.
James looked at him, his mother and shuddered at the thought. Sirius smirked.
"That would explain a lot…"
Remus grinned at his two friends. "I'll make sure I keep the spare room made up." He informed them. "I just hope you stagger the times your wives kick you out of the house."
James and Sirius exchanged glances. Then they dove on Remus.
Meanwhile Paige was hugging Kathryn with a big grin.
"Your parents are pleased?" She smiled.
"Of course!" Kathryn cried happily. "I'm giving them their first grand-child. Although, to be quite honest, I'm the only one they'd reasonably accept it from. Adalia and Paul are too young. Leila's only just out of Hogwarts and has no boyfriend. And Jonah and Joseph aren't married either. Jack, of course…" She gave a wan smile. "He'd bet me a galleon that he'd give Mum and Dad their first grandchild. I guess I won."
Paige held the girl's shoulder softly. "Do not cry what should be, and what could have been. Celebrate what is. There's no harm in going to Jack in the ward and telling him. Even if he can't hear you, he'll know, somehow, subconsciously, that you're there, and he's to be an uncle. Just as there's no harm in visiting Radella either."
A thought ricocheted in Kathryn's head. 'All the Enchanted pregnant at once. We should have a photo…'
She dismissed the idea. Lily didn't know. Only she and Alura did (Alura because she would be taking the children as their honorary godmother). The children would be blessed without either parent truly present – Kathryn would be standing in. The least they could do was do it in Radella's room.
'Still, maybe…'It was then that Kathryn realised what her husband was doing to one of his best friends.
"Sirius! Leave Remus alone and come and kiss me, you great lump!"
Sirius dropped Remus' leg and grinned, walking over to his wife.
"To hear is to obey, my fair and sweet lady."
The others laughed.
"You've got him well trained, Mystique." Remus grinned.
XXXXX
A/N:
So, what do you think? Did you like the way Sirius and Kathryn announced their baby? The present, by the way, was one of those photo albums in which you keep photos and record the baby's 'firsts' (tooth, smile, step, word, etc.).
I quite liked the chapter. It was light and fluffy to make up for the last two dark ones. I guess I'm going to be doing a lot of work on this story in the next few weeks. I just hope I avoid writer's block.
I had no feedback on the photo. Do you want a scene where they take the photo? And what about Regulus – do you want to know how he died/what happened? I might make it having already happened (probably in the 'two years' when James and Lily were away), and do it like that.
I need feedback people!
Also, you may (or may not) know that I have a C2 group out there called 'Lightning and Fire'. It's mainly Harry/Ginny, though there are a few other pairings, Marauder fics and AU fics in there as well. M-rated (R-rated) fics and crossovers are on my favourite stories list.
I'm going to post up another fic as well. It was in answer to an SIYE Challenge, The Dream Adventure Challenge. It's called An Ultimate Dream. Quite light and fluffy.
Progress is being made on Teasing, Teaching and Time Travel. It depends if you prefer a short chapter quickly, or a longer chapter later on (it's about 8 pages long at the moment).
To everyone who got the kids right – that's Harry, Neville and Selene (Kat and Sirius' daughter) – lots of cookies!
New challenge:
Who are the Elemental Warriors?
There are definite clues in the last couple of chapters.
If you prefer something really hard…
In which novel is there a reference to a woman looking like 'a Sister dipped in blood', and who is the author?
Clue – female Canadian Author!
If you did this in your AS-level exam, it's a doozy. And I sympathise – I had mine just before half term as well!
Enjoy the summer sunshine and try to stay calm over Half-Blood Prince!
Lol, Tanydwr