Rowling Writes Prequel to "Harry Potter" Series

A handwritten prequel by J. K. Rowling to the Harry Potter series sold for 25,000 pounds ($49,000) at a charity auction in London.

In addition to the Potter prequel, 12 writers and illustrators submitted original works on notebook paper to Waterstone's bookstore chain to be sold by them to benefit English Pen, which supports freedom of expression. The money also goes to support Dyslexia Action.

Rowling's story was a huge bargain, given that an illustrated storybook about wizardry by Rowling made 1.95 million pounds at a different charity auction last year. That computes to nearly 40 times what the expected price was.

"I had great fun writing the card and I'm absolutely delighted that it has raised 25,000 pounds for two such worthy causes," the 42-year-old author said in a statement.

The story is set three years before Harry Potter is born and features Sirius Black (Harry's godfather) and James Potter. It begins with the two escaping a police officer by using a bit of magic. It concludes with the words, "From the prequel I am not working on - but that was fun!" It of course refers to the ongoing rumors circling that Rowling is working on a follow-up to the Harry Potter series.