Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (also known as Sorcerer’s Stone in America) went through numerous drafts before J.K. Rowling was satisfied. One of the most changed segments of the book was the all-important opening scene of the series.

In the published version, the book opens with Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall leaving the baby Harry Potter on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep, while they fill the reader in on current events through their dialogue (such as the death of Harry’s parents and the defeat of Voldemort).

The original draft of the book opened in a most peculiar way. Originally, Harry’s parents were living on a secluded island off the coast of England. On the fateful night that Harry’s parents are killed, an explosion on the island is witnessed by a sailor. This sailor investigates the explosion and finds the baby Harry all alone in the ruins of his home.

So who is this mystery sailor? He was originally meant to be Hermione’s father, who just happened to be a sailor who lived a few miles away from the island that the Potter’s were hiding on.

This was, perhaps, a few coincidences too many, and this element of the story was dropped.