J.K. Rowling is begging fans not to buy this stolen “Harry Potter” prequel
The dark mark has been cast over the West Midlands in England, as a horrible theft has both J.K. Rowling and police looking to the public for help. A rare Harry Potter prequel story, hand-written by Rowling, was stolen during a recent burglary in the Birmingham suburb of King’s Heath.
The short story, which was written on two sides of an A5 postcard, is apparently worth over $30,000. Rowling took to twitter to ask her 10 million followers for help in finding the story, explaining that the story was sold as part of an effort to raise money for a London based charity, so it’s not something fans should be looking to buy.
PLEASE DON'T BUY THIS IF YOU'RE OFFERED IT. Originally auctioned for @englishpen, the owner supported writers' freedoms by bidding for it. https://t.co/ljEQyyj9yY
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2017
Police turned to the public for help because of the passionate and widespread fandom associated with the Harry Potter series. West Midlands police and Rowling believe that only a Harry Potter fan would know exactly how to find a story like the one Rowling wrote.
"The only people who will buy this unique piece are true Harry Potter fans," West Midlands Officer Paul Jauncey, said. "We are appealing to anyone who sees, or is offered this item for sale, to contact police."
The story, penned personally by @jk_rowling over 2 sides of an A5 postcard is extremely valuable & stolen during a burglary in #KingsHeath pic.twitter.com/Aio04lVjFt
— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) May 12, 2017
According to the The Guardian, the 800 word short story, which was sold in 2008 for £25,000, is set just a few years before Harry’s birth and follows the shenanigans of young James Potter and Sirius Black when they have a run-in with the muggle police. Essentially it’s the kind of thing *every* Harry Potter fan has been begging for — for years. But don’t let that entice you into betraying your love for Rowling and all things Harry Potter.
Police and Rowling are asking that anyone offered the opportunity to purchase the story should call police immediately. We hope the find whoever committed the horribly burglary and hope they get shut in Azkaban forever.
