There is something about Dragons. Something thrilling and exciting, but also very dangerous and terrifying. While dragons exist in all parts of the world, they are most famous in Europe due to Europe’s dragon species diversity and multiple dragon reserves. You can learn about all the different Dragon species (put link here).
In school, young witches and wizards are taught about the different Dragon species in Care of Magical Creatures. They use Dragon hide gloves in Herbology. Sometimes they even use Dragon goods in Potions. In the adult world, Dragon goods are expensive, but popular. From protective gear, to clothing, to Quidditch gear, to potion ingredients, and more. Dragons are studied by Dragon keeps, and kept in Gringott vaults as added protection. Whether people realize it or not, Dragons play an important role in Wizarding society.
There are many paths one might take, both legal and illegal, when it comes to working with dragons.
DRAGON RELATED CAREERS
Dragon Egg Smuggler - ILLEGAL
Dragons are extremely dangerous creatures. Despite that, some people have made a business out of stealing and selling dragon eggs. Dragon eggs have many uses. Some stubborn witches and wizards might wish to try and keep them as pets (terrible idea), other wealthy customers might want them as a sign of their wealth, even Gringotts has been known to blur the legality line by purchasing dragon eggs with the intent of using them to guard some of their vaults. Possessing dragon eggs (without Ministry approval) is a serious offense and could earn someone a stay at Azkaban prison.
Dragon Goods Merchant - LEGAL/ILLEGAL
Dragon goods is a lucrative business. There are an endless amount of uses when it comes to dragons as a whole. From their blood (there are 12 known uses, discovered by Albus Dumbledore), hide (often used as protection), bones (often used in divinations), etc. A Dragon Goods Merchant is the person to visit if you need anything dragon related (legally, of course.). Even the meat is sold in shops such as this. Dragon meat is particularly popular among the more carnivorous races (Giants, part giants, werewolves, individuals with werewolf tendencies, goblins, part goblins, etc.). Selling Dragon goods requires special permits and licenses, which are acquired through the Ministry’s Licenses and Permits office.
Some sellers prefer to work on the black market though, to avoid any Ministry taxes, or to sell products that are not legally sellable such as goods from endangered species or illegally obtained dragon goods. There is quite a market when it comes to illegal Dragon goods.
Dragon Hunter - LEGAL
Dragon hunters are legally permitted to hunt, and kill dragons, with the intent of supplying Merchants with Dragon goods and control dragon populations. Dragon Hunters are contracted by the local Governments of where they work. Dragon’s have no natural predators except other dragons, as such populations would be uncontrollable if it weren’t for Dragon hunters. Some Dragon reserves that are particularly susceptible to overpopulation (such as the MacFusty reserve due to the Hebridean Black’s huge territory.) even contract a full time Dragon Hunter to maintain the reserve’s population restrictions.
Dragon Keeper - LEGAL
Dragon Keepers are individuals trained to maintain the many Dragon reserves. Dragon Keepers are researchers of a sort, observing and recording dragon behavior, but also act as the first line of defense in keeping dragons from hurting wizards or muggles. Dragon Keepers are not trainers though and they do not interfere with the Dragons unless human life is in immediate danger. Instead, Dragon Keepers maintain the Dragons’ natural habitat and territory so that they may live normal dragon lives. If they do their job right, the dragons will never even know of their existence.
Dragon Poacher - ILLEGAL
Poaching is a notorious business, and quite dangerous in regards to Dragon Poaching. Dragon poachers often get their wares (which they sell to Dragon Goods Merchants, both legal and illegal.) from Dragons outside the safety of Dragon reserves. Since Dragon Keepers can not interfere with the Dragons unless human life is in danger, they cannot force dragons to remain on the reserves, or force dragons onto a reserve. Dragon poaching exists in all regions of the world.
Dragon Trainer - ILLEGAL
requires a galleon shop purchase on the site.
Many believe that all species of Dragons are too uncontrollable, and incapable of being trained to any capacity. They are partially right. Most species can’t. But there are two species in existence that are just docile enough that some degree of training is possible. The Antipodean Opaleye (native to New Zealand), and the Common Welsh Green (native to Wales). Though please note, ‘training’ is a loose term. Dragons can not be fully controlled, no matter how docile its nature. Conditioning is a better term. Through repetition, skilled individuals can teach dragons to react certain ways, depending on a established condition. We see such an example in the Deathly Hallows, in which a Dragon was conditioned to expect pain when it hears a certain sound, thus making it shrink back and permit workers to walk past safely. Most likely it was an individual in this career that conditioned the Gringotts’ Dragon.
Dragon Training is a highly illegal act, and been outlawed for generations. Despite this fact though, entities like Gringotts have managed to avoid Ministry action by a treaty established hundreds of years ago. On this treaty, Goblins agreed to manage Gringott’s Bank for the Ministry, but only on the terms that Ministry law ended at the Bank’s doors. To put it another way, the Ministry can not force Gringott’s bank to do anything, as it is does not fall within the Ministry’s Jurisdiction.
DRAGON RESERVES
There are four main Reserves in Europe that are run by Dragon Keepers. Dragon reserves are basically sanctuaries, in which dragon territory is kept safe and free, so that dragons can live peaceful and natural lives away from non-magical society.
Romanian Dragon Sanctuary - Several species of dragons can be found here. This is where Charlie Weasley worked.
MacFusty Dragon Reserve - Located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The MacFusty clan has maintained this reserve for hundreds of years. Home to the Hebridean Black.
Snowdonia Dragon Reserve - Hidden in mountains of Wales, home to the Common Welsh Green.
Sweden Reserve - This reserve has grown in ‘infamy’ due to its location falling in the path of the annual broom race. Home to the Swedish Short-Snout.