Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including, but not limited to, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. All characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling or her assigns, except for Esmerelda Plofufnik and other characters not recognised as part of the Potterworld canon. This story has not been written for commercial gain and its distribution is for strictly personal use. Any other distribution of this story is prohibited without the express consent of the author. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: This fic actually started as an innocent little anecdotal chapter scribbled on the back of a Snape postcard, and then... just took on a life of its own. Many thanks are due to Coseymo, Caro and Naja whose comments, encouragement and enthusiasm make writing this a pleasure. And I also have a moral obligation to dedicate this to Kathy P. Psomiades, who, as a good friend and teacher, many moons ago, encouraged me to write.