500 lucky fans got the treat of a lifetime when JK Rowling appeared at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in Scotland this past weekend. The popular author was there to read an excerpt from her latest book Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The usually secretive author also gleefully fielded questions from the audience, and even went so far as to drop a couple hints to Harry's future.

Asked which is her favorite book in the Harry Potter series, Rowling replied that it was, at once, The Prisoner of Azkaban, but added that '…it is unfair of me to say this – Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is my favorite book. Sorry. I am the only one who has read it, and it's rather good. I am normally like this when I write a book. Usually when I am just over halfway I normally love it, but by the time I finish it I completely despise it and think it is worthless rubbish. At the moment, I really like how the sixth book is going. A lot happens in the sixth book and a lot of questions are answered. I really have a sense that we are nearly there and it is time for answers, not more questions and clues, although obviously there are a few clues as I am not quite finished yet.'

Naturally, the fans would wish to have these secrets revealed. One audience member asked if Harry will ever grow up to be a wizard. 'Well, I don't think it'll be giving too much away to say that he will survive to book seven,' Rowling revealed, 'mainly because I don't want to be strangled by you lot. But I am not going to say whether he grows any older than that, because I have never said that.'

One boy innocently raised his hand to ask about what the title of the next Potter book would be. The amused author was reminded of a previous book tour where many a journalist unsuccessfully tried to get her to reveal the top secret title of the newest book The Order of the Phoenix. '...then, a little boy just like you put up his hand and said 'What is the name of the next book?' I said 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.'But i am not going to tell you,' the author told the 'cute' little boy. 'You have no idea of the trouble I would be in if I did. My agent would have me hunted down and killed.'

Rowling was impressed with the crowds clever and tricky questions, saying 'You are good at putting me on the spot.'

She was also well aware that Potter fans would just love to discover secrets of Harry's future.

'I think that you want to know (the secrets) but you don't want to know as well,' she teased. 'You would all like me to tell you exactly what happens in book 6 and 7 and then to erase your memories so that you could read them. I know because that’s how I feel about things that I enjoy. I would kind of like to do it, but at the same time I know that I would ruin it for everyone.'

Rowling couldn't leave it at that, knowing the crowd was dying for any kind of hint.

'I thought that I would give you something though,' she said finally. 'There are two questions that I have never been asked, but should have been asked, if you know what I mean. The first is, why didn't Voldemort die? Not why did Harry live. Because the killing curse rebounded,' she hinted. 'I don't think it's guessable...but you should be asking yourself that question, particularly now that you know the prophesy.'

The second revealing question was, 'Why did Dumbledore not kill or try to kill Voldemort in the scene in the ministry?... Although Dumbledore did give a kind of reason to Voldemort, it is not the real reason... I would advice you to concentrate on those two questions.'

She would not reveal any answers to these questions, but said that the 2 clues would give the fans plenty to ponder on as they await the next, as of yet unnamed, Harry Potter book.