The Harry Potter prequel is an 800-word story written by J. K. Rowling, and was published online on 11 June 2008. Set about three years before the birth of Harry Potter, the story recounts an adventure experienced by Sirius Black and James Potter.

Plot synopsis

Muggle Policemen PC Anderson and Sergeant Fisher are chasing a motorbike which is breaking the speed limit into a dead-end alley. Confronting the two youths riding the bike, they ask for their names. After some joking, the boys introduce themselves as Sirius Black and James Potter. As the policemen attempt to arrest them for speeding and riding without helmets, three men on broomsticks fly down the alley towards them. James and Sirius use their wands to lift the police car up to form a barrier, and the broomstick riders crash into it. Sirius and James then leave the frightened policemen in the alley.

Announcement

J. K. Rowling announced on May 28, 2008 that she was writing a prequel story for the writers' association English PEN and Dyslexia Action. The story, handwritten on a card and signed by her, would then be auctioned off alongside thirteen similar cards from other authors on June 11, 2008, with the proceeds going to charity. The story card sold for £25,000 in the "What's Your Story?" auction at Waterstone's in Piccadilly, and the set raised around £47,150 for the two charities. The buyer of the Potter story card was Hira Digpal, president of Tokyo-based investment-banking consulting company Red-33. He had privately mentioned £50,000 as one possible bid by him.

, a book of facsimiles was scheduled for publication in August of that year, to allow fans to own and read the stories; the Potter one has also been published on the Internet.

Rowling has ruled out writing a prequel novel to the Potter series,and concluded the story card with the words, "From the prequel I am not working on — but that was fun!"

References

External links

• Official statement on J.K. Rowling's Official Site
• Read the story here (Gryffindor Gazette)