Charlie Weasley

I've spent Easter and the week before that, and a few days before that, traipsing through the Peruvian jungle. Other things that I've been doing include:

- dropping my journal into a river. That buggered it up good and I had to wait until we got back to civilisation to get a new one. This is why I've been so quiet.

- accumulating two more burn scars. Also lost my eyebrows to dragon fire. That was fun. I can hear Mum screaming from here.

- being there to see two Peruvian Vipertooth eggs hatch. The reserve here will raise them for a few weeks and then set them free in the wild again. Hopefully I'll be here to see that.

Thank Merlin, the mystery of the dragon in Diagon Alley has been solved. Now certain people can get back to doing their actual jobs instead of sitting around all day speculating about when the next sighting's going to be.


[Warded to Weasleys; Harry and Hermione included]

I think Mum needs to be spoiled a bit on Sunday, so I've booked a table for all of us at that Italian place in Hogsmeade for Sunday night at seven.

Hermione, you'll probably be at you own Mum's, but you're also invited if you want to join us.

[/Ward]

Saw Mum today and she told me to remind you lot that it's Ron's birthday dinner Thursday night and she expects everyone to be there. She's going to make all of his favourites. There will also be two kinds of cake.

Things that I have done these past two weeks:

a.) Survived the flu. Was really trying to die there for a while.

b.) Had a not too bad date after the auction-thing. It didn't happen when it was supposed to, because I was trying my best to die at the time.

c.) Left and came back to the country three times. I'm back for a while. Unless something interesting comes up somewhere.

d.) Hired an assistant. He will start work at the beginning of March. I think. Was still trying to die when I appointed him. I should owl him and make sure.

e.) I got this far without saying dragon. Dragon.

The fuck? I woke up this morning with a head that feels as if a tribe of very small men are hitting me with hammers. I've got better things to do than get sick.

OK, going from mild summer temperatures into bloody freezing winter in Romania is not fun. In case you're wondering. I'll be back in England next week and off again somewhere else the week after. Don't be surprised if I bugger off to New Zealand again.

Family, you're welcome to come and visit.

And what is this about a dragon in Diagon Alley? Something interesting happens and I'm out of the country. Typical.


[Warded to Mandy Brocklehurst]

Would it be possible to set up a meeting with me and your brother?

[/Ward]

[Warded to Natalie McDonald]

Can we meet next week while I'm back in the country?

[/Ward]

New Zealand is brilliant. The dragon sightings we've had so far were brilliant. We're planning on hopping over to Australia later this morning, which will be brilliant, too, I'm sure. What is not so brilliant is this pile of notes and pictures that keeps on growing. Every time I sit down to sort it out I make an even bigger mess of it.

I'm really starting to think about getting that assistant that they've included in my budget. Or a part-time assistant. Someone to keep things organised and easy to find. But I don't know. The last one I had was a huge, bloody disaster. She thought heels were appropriate footwear to traipse into the hills with. And I swear, I could hear her roll her eyes at me when I got excited about something. So yeah, that didn't work very long. Is it too much to ask for an assistant who is actually interested in my field of study? Will think about that when I get back.

Why would you think that setting domesticated animals free from a pet shop will accomplish anything? Except for landing your arse in trouble and/or jail. Bloody idiot.

And in other, more exciting news: I'm going to New Zealand for a few days later this week to do some research on the Antipodean Opaleye. I've not really had a lot of opportunity to do work there, so I'm feeling like a kid before Christmas right now. And I can't lie, I'm also looking forward to a bit of summer while I'm over there.

Family, can I bring you anything?

( Charlie Weasley )