Believe it or not, it's been 20 years since J.K Rowling let us in to her magical world of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and for that, we are forever grateful.
However, as any self-proclaimed Harry Potter super fan will know, there was a time when it looked like the series might not be published at all.
In fact, as an unknown author, J.K had her debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, rejected by not one, not two, but 12 publishers, before it was eventually picked up by the clever folk at Bloomsbury.
We know what you're thinking.
How on earth did this worldwide phenomenon slip through the cracks so many times?
How could they not see its unlimited potential?
And while you might never find the answers to these questions, you can now make up your own mind, because in celebration of Harry Potter's 20th anniversary, J.K Rowling’s original pitch has gone on display at the new Harry Potter: A History Of Magic exhibition at London’s British Library.
It reads:
"Harry Potter lives with his aunt, uncle and cousin because his parents died in a car-crash—or so he has been told. The Dursleys don't like Harry asking questions; in fact, they don't seem to like anything about him, especially the very odd things that keep happening around him (which Harry himself can't explain).
The Dursleys' greatest fear is that Harry will discover the truth about himself, so when letters start arriving for him near his eleventh birthday, he isn't allowed to read them. However, the Dursleys aren't dealing with an ordinary postman, and at midnight on Harry's birthday the gigantic Rubeus Hagrid breaks down the door to make sure Harry gets to read his post at last. Ignoring the horrified Dursleys, Hagrid informs Harry that he is a wizard, and the letter he gives Harry explains that he is expected at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in a month's time
To the Dursleys' fury, Hagrid also reveals the truth about Harry's past. Harry did not receive the scar on his forehead in a car-crash; it is really the mark of the great dark sorcerer Voldemort, who killed Harry's mother and father but mysteriously couldn't kill him, even though he was a baby at the time. Harry is famous among the witches and wizards who live in secret all over the country because Harry's miraculous survival marked Voldemort's downfall.
So Harry, who has never had friends or family worth the name, sets off for a new life in the wizarding world. He takes a trip to London with Hagrid to buy his Hogwarts equipment (robes, wand, cauldron, beginners' draft and potion kit) and shortly afterwards, sets off for Hogwarts from Kings Cross Station (platform nine and three quarters) to follow in his parents' footsteps.
Harry makes friends with Ronald Weasley (sixth in his family to go to Hogwarts and tired of having to use second-hand spellbooks) and Hermione Granger (cleverest girl in the year and the only person in the class to know all the uses of dragon's blood). Together, they have their first lessons in magic — astronomy up on the tallest tower at two in the morning, herbology out in the greenhouses where the…"
So, if you currently feel like the entire world is plotting against you, just remember that even one of the greatest writers of the 21st century faced her fair share of rejection.
Oh, and one more thing while we have you! Don't forget that you can catch up on all your favourite shows for free for a month right here, so sign up now!
