**Disclaimer** I do not claim to own anything that's not mine (J.K. Rowling wrote these amazing things before I could even dream of them). I do claim my main character, Dee.

The afternoon had gone by quickly. I had decided not to explore the house, out of respect for the old woman's personal space. Sure, she had given me permission to explore, but it hadn't sounded like she really wanted me to. Instead, I decided on a nap. Cleaning up the dust in the bed room was a breeze, literally. I conjured a breeze that gathered the dust and blew it out the window. I'm sure that Da would have laughed at me for using such a simple spell to clean. Da would have had enchanted brooms sweeping and enchanted dusters dusting. The thought brought a smile to my face.

After I took a nap I sat at the desk in the woman's study downstairs (ok, I snooped a little). I tried to compose letters to people back home. I'm sure they were worried about me.

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Dear George,

I am doing well. So far nothing too exciting has happened. I am still in search of Harry and Hermione and I'm sure you've probably already heard all about Ron and I meeting up. Don't judge him too harshly for his abandonment. I think he's been through a lot lately. I miss you. I have some news to share with you as well when we see each other again. I'm worried how you will take it… I'm sorry I can't tell you in this letter… I miss you. I love you… Merry Christmas love.

Dee

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Dear Con and Annie,

Sorry I am writing a combined letter to you two. I have much to say to both of you but I can't express it all right now. I hope things are going well. I'm sure you have found the Diggorys to be very friendly and accommodating. I lived with them for a summer a few years back and greatly enjoyed my stay. I'm sure Annie has started school already. I hope you have a great year and make many new friends Annie. I always wished to go to Hogwarts as a student. Anyways, I am still continuing my mission and it has not progressed much. I am finding that fact a bit frustrating but I'm sure it'll work out in the end. It's for the good of us all. I wish you Merry Christmas. I'm sorry I'm not able to be there.

Love,

Dee

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Dear Cedric,

I'm sure you're quite worried about me and frustrated as well. I'm sorry I had to leave and not tell you much about my mission. You are my best friend and I know it hurts that I can't share with you, but it's for your own safety. I hope you and your family are getting along well, and getting along well with Con and Annie. I feel terrible that I had to leave them so suddenly on your doorstep but it's all for a good cause. I hope you are still practicing your magic. I worry less knowing you are learning to defend yourself well. Take Annie under your wing if you could. I don't think that the American schools give as good of an education as Hogwarts does. I miss you. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Dee

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The door squeaked open loudly as I had just finished writing my last letter. I folded my letters and went to the window to send them off. An owl flew in and I tied all the letters to his leg and he was off.

"What are you doing in here child?" Maud's crackly voice startled me from the doorway. I jumped a little and turned to her quickly.

"I was just writing and sending off some letters. I hope you don't mind." I replied sweetly. She rolled her eyes at me and I noticed her hands were full of packages. "Would you like some help putting away your purchases?" I offered politely. She ignored me completely and disappeared from the doorway. I followed her, frowning slightly.

She entered into her kitchen. The kitchen was small. I squeezed myself between the shelving and an island counter. She laughed as she noticed.

"Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you should chow down on everything child. You'll be the size of a house if you do." She said rudely.

"I'm not that big. I definitely don't over eat." I said curtly, feeling offended and self-conscious. "I'm not really that fat, am I?" I asked feeling an overwhelming feeling of depression at the thought. Maud just scoffed and kept doing what she was doing. I ran my hands over my mid-section. I was getting big, but I wasn't as fat as she was putting on. I decided I would just have to ignore her rudeness. She obviously wasn't taught any manners as a child, or adult.

"So have you decided on a name for the babe yet?" She asked me suddenly. I shook my head in the negative even though she wasn't facing me. "Of course ya haven't. A girl needs some help from the father in naming her babe. When are you going to tell the father he's a father?" Her question caught me off guard.

"How did you know I haven't told him yet?" I asked bewildered. She let out that cackle laugh of hers again.

"Didn't I say when you first got here that I had a good amount of psychic powers? Ya know, premonition and prophecy. I know a lot about you that you haven't told me deary." She said, almost in a satisfied glee. I stared at her for a long time and she held my gaze with the most hysterical smile I would never have thought to see on an old woman's face. "Let's have some tea and biscuits and chat before I start dinner. You can question me to your heart's content then." She finally conceded and we moved to the table. She started the tea as I made myself comfortable at the table.

When she finally sat down after serving us both tea and biscuits, the questions hadn't piled very high in my mind. I didn't even know where to start. I settled on the most basic and vague.

"What do you know about me?" I said softly before taking a sip of the hot tea. Her eyes twinkled a little and she smiled from behind her tea cup.

"I know you are Deirdre Nadine Kendra Rashell Dumbledore. Your mother died before you were born and so death AND life both resides in your heart. You have power over life and death, yet death seeks to take back what it feels was wrongfully taken by you. Most likely, this power. –"I cut her off here.

"Does that mean that death is this evil that you said you sensed was following me here?" I asked anxiously. She glared at me for a moment.

"It's not polite to interrupt child." She chastised before continuing. It was difficult but I was able to bite back a retort on how she didn't really have room to be speaking of manners. "Anyways, this power, death seeks to take it back, most likely. I do not believe the evil I sense following you is death though. Death is not evil. Death merely is what it is. It is us mortals who fear it and make it an enemy." The truth of her words resounded in my soul and I felt enlightened. "I believe this evil is mortal but very dangerous. I am hoping to keep you here long enough to lure it within my range. If I can do that, I can help buy you more time." She added.

"Maybe I don't want more time. I think I'd rather face this evil head on than run from it like prey." I replied defiantly. What am I thinking? I sound like a cocky, spoiled child… I bit my lip and Maud laughed.

"Child, you are brave but this is not the time for you to be battling. It would be a very dangerous battle and would not only endanger you, but your child as well." She said warmly. I was taken aback by her words and her kindness.

"Do you know when the evil is going to catch up to me?" I asked curious.

"Yes, I believe he'll be here sometime tonight or tomorrow. I don't know exactly, but I'll know once he steps a foot into this town." She replied, drawing herself up in her chair. Power seemed to suddenly exude from her and her eyes twinkled, reminding me a little of my father. "Anyways, any other questions?" She asked suddenly, the mood around us deflating around us like a popped balloon. I bit my lip as I was as to what to ask next. I thought I had come up with a list…

"Oh, Yes!" I nearly shouted. Maud raised her eyebrows at me. "Sorry…" We both chuckled a little. "Ok, I wanted to know if you knew if my baby is going to be a boy or a girl." She laughed for a moment.

"Child, of all the questions, you as that one… I do know what your child is going to be." She replied simply. A long silenced stretched between us as I waited for her to tell me boy or girl but she just smiled smugly at me and continued sipping her tea.

"Aren't you going to answer my question?" I finally prodded in annoyance and impatience. She laughed.

"Child, I did answer your question. Next time maybe you should consider your wording a little better. You asked me if I knew and I told ya I did. End of story. I'm done answering questions now. I'm starved. I'll make myself a large amount and you a small amount girly. You're looking a bit thick around the middle." She said dismissively and in her once again rude manner. She got up and started to cook us dinner. I stared, dumbfounded at her as she smiled to herself as she cooked. I couldn't believe I let the old woman out smart me…

*** Sorry for a kind of short chapter and huge apologizes for taking so long to update. I suppose I shouldn't make any more promises about how soon I'll update. I'll just promise that I will when I can. I started back to school on the 17th and my classes are keeping me busy. I hope you guys like this chapter. It's not one of my favorites. It's one of those build up chapters. I could keep it and write more and combine chapters so it's more exciting but I like to keep my chapters shorter so that you guys get more frequent updates. Please review and thank you for reading. ALSO: when you review, please leave me a note on your guess… is it going to be a BOY or a GIRL? ;)