A valuable copy of a Harry Potter prequel, handwritten on a postcard by author J.K. Rowling, was stolen during a recent home burglary, according to Reuters, with Rowling herself asking fans for help in its safe return. The 800-word story is reportedly set three years before the boy wizard’s birth and focuses on Sirius Black and James Potter, a relatively minor tale of which Rowling concludes at the bottom, “From the prequel I am not working on—but that was fun!” The postcard was sold at auction in 2008 to benefit the literary organization English PEN, where it fetched £25,000.
On Twitter, Rowling encouraged her followers not to buy it should it somehow cross their paths.
The police investigating the theft echoed that sentiment: “The only people who will buy this unique piece are true Harry Potter fans. We are appealing to anyone who sees, or is offered this item for sale, to contact police.”
Of course, if you’re really tempted to read the story, you don’t have to abet a felon: You can just check it out online.
