One more language question.

[sistermagpie]

> Hey guys, a have a small question about the word "fancy". Actually, I
> asked a question about this word before, especially about the British
> meanings of it and I had my answer (thanks, Geoff :-)), but here it
> goes again :-). When DD says in PS/SS "Fancy seeing you here,
> Professor McGonagall" (Ch.1, p.9 Am.ed. or p.13 Br.ed.), which meaning
> of the word is it? Does it mean something like "It is surprising to
> see you here"? Is it the same meaning as in "Fancy that!" expression?
> Confirmation needed :-). Thanks!

Magpie:
That expression does carry the "fancy that" expression (when "fancy 
that" means "imagine that" conveying surprise). Though it's often used 
in a way where the surprise is fake--exactly the way Dumbledore is 
using it. He's saying, "Fancy meeting you here," to knowingly suggest 
that it should be a surprise but it isn't because he knows that it's 
not a coincidence that he's met here there. Like he's playing along. 
But it could also be used to express genuine surprise, in the sense 
of, "So we went to Barbados and there were our next door neighbors. 
Fancy meeting them there!" Definitely not the meaning of fancy that 
means "like" (as in "fancy a piece of cake?")

-m