Sinsull: yes we do "see" the stone in the book, first as a wrapped item being retrieved fron Grigott's bank, and towards the end, Harry sees himself taking it from his own pocket in the "Mirror of Erised". This is immediately before he feels the weight of it suddenly appear in his pocket.

Generally: yes, I get *most* of the Latin bits, but it seems that the most overlooked pun is the English one of "Diagon Alley" which preumably can be fitted into the overcrowded London streets because it runs at an angle!

I can also heartilly recommend the Jennings books (due for a U.S. launch shortly) although I first read them over 30 years ago, borrowed from the local library. I think I'll have to re-read them. As boarding-school books I always found them preferable to the forced comedy of Billy Bunter.

Nigel Parsons