The Plague was a nightmare for many. It's terribly unfair that your family was affected when already dealing with a sick child. She must've been just about ready to go off to Hogwarts, then? I'm sorry...

A dent has been made, but I must admit I'm envious of your escape. I'll likely end up heading home only to sleep before I'm due back in the morning. The colleague has far more experience than me, and is therefore permitted to commit such crimes against his colleagues. He is, admittedly, not my favorite person. I once set a jinx at his desk that caused ink to splatter every time he used his quill. One of my finer moments, if I do say so.

If I were to answer your curiosities I would have to kill you. And, considering I have only the most basic details of your appearance to go off of, murder will have to wait.