(aka "Leave it to Spotter")
by J.R. Rodehouse and P.G. Wowling
Harry Spotter (the s is silent) arrives at Hogwings School for Pigcraft and Piggery run by forgetful, ageing wizard, Albus Emsworth.
Spotter is a very remarkable young man. He has spent his early years cruelly kept in the fish business, but Spotter knew he was special. From an early age he put on the manner of and dressed up as a wizard. A remarkably dapper wizard, it must be said.
Spotter soon made friends at Hogwings. Most notably the Hon. Ronnie Weaslywood and Hermione Halliday, who was happily cataloguing the library. Not because she had to, but because she liked to. He also made a huge friend in the shape of Albus Emsworth's head gardener, Hagrid McAllister.
Spotter also made an enemy: Severus Baxter, the efficient Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Before long, Spotter is picked to play for the local Quicket team. Quicket is a magical game that involves a lot of standing around and throwing balls at short, wooden poles.
Spotter, Ronnie and Hermione discover that hidden somewhere in the castle is the fabulous Philosopher's Necklace. They decide to steal it in order to stop it falling into the wrong hands. They go to Emsworth who fails to understand what they want, thinking they are talking about flowers.
Also after the necklace is a pair of American petty thieves. Eddie Longbottom has disguised himself as a pupil at the school and his girlfriend who is pretending to be potty Divination teacher Miss (Liz) Trelawney.
Before the children can get to the necklace they must get past a three-headed giant pig which they get past by performing a ragtime number. They must then pass through a room of flying flowerpots. Spotter locates the correct flowerpot and uses it to break a window to get out of the room.
Once Spotter has found the necklace, the bad guy is revealed not to be Baxter as they expected, however Baxter is still sacked as Emsworth has never really liked him.
22/12/01