[Aislinn]

Interview with a Dracologist - Charlie Weasley
by Canis Sapiens


Abstract
It is now nearly a decade since the demise of Voldemort and Charlie Weasley of the famous Weasley clan has now gained international renown as a leading expert in the field of dracology. This article is an interview with Charlie by the Daily Prophet's science reporter, Esmeralda Marchbanks, in which he discusses, among other things, his intended visit to Australia to explore further the possible continued survival of a rare species of dragon - draco marsupialia.


Biography
Given that Canis Sapiens' childhood heroine was Endora from "Bewitched" (a bit of a Muggle baiter in retrospect ) and her favourite stories were anything with witches and mythical beasts, I suppose you could say she was a "Harry Potter" fan waiting to happen. It was a long wait - but worth it! When she was of an age to expect her owl post from Hogwarts, she was blithely innocent of such a delightful prospect, therefore sparing Canis's parents the endless nagging that would have otherwise ensued. Though now a grownup with her feet somewhat more firmly planted on the ground, she has reluctantly accepted that magic belongs solely to the world of literature, nevertheless its enchantments have never ceased to entice.

This article can be found here.

[WaggaWaggaWerewolf]

What a lovely essay, if you don't mind hearing from another of the canine species. I do love the drawing of that marsupial dragon included with your published interview with Charlie Weasley. Though I have a small point to argue with Charlie. If a marsupial dragon is possible, and the skeletons found so far are not simply those of giant kangaroos, then surely a monotreme dragon is even more possible. You know, egg-laying in a nest but suckling hatchlings mammalian fashion, like echidnas or the platypus. The monotreme state is a bridge between marsupials and reptiles or bird. Though the idea of absorbing boiling hot dragon milk from a dragon's scaly hide sounds revolting!

[Canis sapiens]

It is always nice to hear from another of the canine species. As to your questions, Charlie cannot, of course, cannot be absolutely certain that the fossil in question is in fact a draco marsupialia rather than a giant kangaroo until he has seen it for himself so he is relying on the evidence of his colleague who presumably has ruled out its likelihood of being a giant kangaroo. The evidence would be in the shape of its jawbone and the apparent presence of wings. That is why a dracologist of Charlie's reputation is needed to confirm it as Australian wizards have less highly specialized training in dracology- not much call for it. Also the legends of the indigeneous wizards do provide some confirmation of such a creature's existence, at least at one time. As for its being a monotreme - could be and must not be ruled out as Charlie states there is still so much to learn about it. Such a find, of course, would be as astounding as finding a Crumpled-Horned Snorkack. And in such an event Charlie may well need to consult the expertise of the naturalist, Luna Lovegood. Together, they may well gain fame on the Chocolate Frog Cards as having discovered the 12 Uses of dragon's milk. While the prospect of suckling boiling milk from a scaly dragon's hide does seem from the perspective of most species rather unappetizing, I think one can trust to evolution that the baby dragons have certain adaptations so that their mouths are not burnt raw. But then the regurgitated fish enjoyed by baby penguins also would seem equally revolting to those unaccustomed to such delicacies.

[WaggaWaggaWerewolf]

It is always nice to hear from another of the canine species.

That is so excellent! Dingoes, or Australian native dogs, have a nasty reputation, which doesn't bode well for introduced species such as myself.

Charlie cannot, of course, cannot be absolutely certain that the fossil in question is in fact a draco marsupialia rather than a giant kangaroo until he has seen it for himself so he is relying on the evidence of his colleague who presumably has ruled out its likelihood of being a giant kangaroo. The evidence would be in the shape of its jawbone and the apparent presence of wings.

Fair point! Any scientist worth his/her salt would not make a judgement without examining the evidence. This is common or garden scientific procedure, isn't it?

That is why a dracologist of Charlie's reputation is needed to confirm it as Australian wizards have less highly specialized training in dracology- not much call for it.

I beg your pardon! Charlie's expertise is no doubt welcome. But we have the best scientists that Government funding can supply. And the strictest customs in the world, to combat any threat to our native fauna and flora. It has been alleged in film and song, notably 'The Princess Bride', we down the Antipodes, have an unequalled reputation for suspicion of others. Especially when our world view looks something like this:

Also the legends of the indigeneous wizards do provide some confirmation of such a creature's existence, at least at one time. As for its being a monotreme - could be and must not be ruled out as Charlie states there is still so much to learn about it. Such a find, of course, would be as astounding as finding a Crumpled-Horned Snorkack. And in such an event Charlie may well need to consult the expertise of the naturalist, Luna Lovegood.

I would be so interested if that were the case. It might even provide aid and comfort to those thylacine hunters we hear so much about. (Though what they are probably looking for is the next good beer!)

Together, they may well gain fame on the Chocolate Frog Cards as having discovered the 12 Uses of dragon's milk. While the prospect of suckling boiling milk from a scaly dragon's hide does seem from the perspective of most species rather unappetizing, I think one can trust to evolution that the baby dragons have certain adaptations so that their mouths are not burnt raw. But then the regurgitated fish enjoyed by baby penguins also would seem equally revolting to those unaccustomed to such delicacies.

Yes arguably you are right. But then baby penguins are not the only ones whose diet is revolting. I expect that all baby food is revolting.

This post has been edited by WaggaWaggaWerewolf: 09 April 2008 - 03:28 PM

[Canis sapiens]

I beg your pardon! Charlie's expertise is no doubt welcome. But we have the best scientists that Government funding can supply. And the strictest customs in the world, to combat any threat to our native fauna and flora. It has been alleged in film and song, notably 'The Princess Bride', we down the Antipodes, have an unequalled reputation for suspicion of others. Especially when our world view looks something like this:

As a fellow Antipodean, I did not wish to cast aspersions on the scientific expertise of our Aussie scientists be they Muggle or Wizard. It's just that until this find, it was not believed that dragons existed in Oz and therefore such a specialization as dracology had few job openings. Naturally as experts in bunyips, Aussie witches and wizards are unsurpassed.
It's interesting you should mention the search for the thylacine as this was the inspiration for my article.
Depite their sometimes bad rep like the canis I am I love dingoes and they would be one of my preferred Animagus forms.

[WaggaWaggaWerewolf]

As a fellow Antipodean, I did not wish to cast aspersions on the scientific expertise of our Aussie scientists be they Muggle or Wizard. It's just that until this find, it was not believed that dragons existed in Oz and therefore such a specialization as dracology had few job openings.

Naturally, naturally, and no offence. So long as there isn't yet another reason for budget cuts, or outsourcing, retrenchments etc.

Naturally as experts in bunyips, Aussie witches and wizards are unsurpassed.

What do you think of a theory that has been bandied about that bunyips almost died out by 1804 and now are really the descendants of migratory Loch Ness Monsters?

It's interesting you should mention the search for the thylacine as this was the inspiration for my article.

Aha! Aha! I knew it! for thylacines, poor things! Good luck to you, O fellow canine!