Harry Potter is to lose his virginity in JK Rowling's next book of the eponymous children's series - but the popular author is remaining tightlipped about who his first bedfellow will be.
In a frank interview with UK arts magazine Foops, Rowling admitted that she had been "haunted by demons" over her decision to write the first Potter sex scene.
"It was a really tough one but I felt that this had to be Harry's coming of age novel," she said. "He's now reached the stage where boys start to think about more than just kissing."
Publishers Bloomsbury refused to comment on which character would have sex with Harry Potter, although one source close to Rowling revealed that it would not be fans' popular choice Hermione.
"She would be too obvious," she said. "Joanne has often said that the world is not always the romantic place that people would like it to be. I think she wants Harry to be taught the secrets of the bedroom by an older woman, probably one of his teachers."
Mike Hansford, general secretary of UK teachers' union NUT said he was outraged that Rowling was thinking of creating an affair between a student and his teacher.
"It would set a very poor example to our children and would be an insult to the thousands of scrupulous and professional teachers working in this country," he commented.
The news has also generated fears that the book's adult content could make it unsuitable for children.
"It may have to have a parental warning sticker on the front cover," said book publishing expert Tony Staunton.
