--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Well, I can certainly see why we’re…" description: "\"“Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-k-rowling-86_dragon-pet_well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-tryin_21708.jpg" --- # Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them… ![“Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all at once?” “Just because they’re not very pretty, it doesn’t mean they’re not useful,” Hermione snapped. “Dragon blood’s amazingly magical, but you…” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-k-rowling-86_dragon-pet_well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-tryin_21708.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-k-rowling-86_dragon-pet_well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-tryin_21708.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-k-rowling-86_dragon-pet_well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-tryin_21708.jpg) > ““Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all at once?” “Just because they’re not very pretty, it doesn’t mean they’re not useful,” Hermione snapped. “Dragon blood’s amazingly magical, but you wouldn’t want a dragon for a pet, would you?”” [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The dialogue highlights the tension between aesthetic appeal and functional value, using magical creatures as a metaphor for how society judges usefulness by appearance. **In simple terms:** Value isn’t tied to looks. Key Takeaway Utility can be hidden in the unappealing. Themes appearance vs. utility prejudice magical realism ethical treatment of creatures social hierarchy Mood thoughtful critical Type dialogue philosophical When to use this quote - evaluating unconventional assets - defending marginalized groups - discussing pet ownership ethics - considering resource utility Key Concepts bias pragmatism magical biology ethical dilemmas Practical Applications - policy on magical creature protection - educational curricula on bias Questions to Reflect On - How do we recognize value beyond surface traits? - What biases affect our treatment of 'ugly' entities? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Voldemort’s just a warm-up act compared to you three – what’s the matter?’ he added, for Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had all looked stricken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/voldemort-s-just-a-warm-up-act-compared-to-you-three-what-s-the/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Famous Harry Potter," said Malfoy. "Can't even go to a bookshop without making the front page.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/famous-harry-potter-said-malfoy-can-t-even-go-to-a-bookshop-without/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Malfoy glanced around. Harry knew he was checking for signs of teachers. Then he looked back at Harry and said in a low voice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/malfoy-glanced-around-harry-knew-he-was-checking-for-signs-of-2/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Azkaban - the wizard prison , Goyle." said Malfoy, looking at him in disbelief. "Honestly, if you were any slower, you'd be going backward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/azkaban-the-wizard-prison-goyle-said-malfoy-looking-at-him-in/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“What’s the good of that if I’m not on the House team?” said Malfoy, looking sulky and bad-tempered. “Harry Potter got a Nimbus Two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/what-s-the-good-of-that-if-i-m-not-on-the-house-team-said-malfoy/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“There’s a unicorn in there bin hurt badly by summat. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/there-s-a-unicorn-in-there-bin-hurt-badly-by-summat-this-is-the/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [So many young pets burn out in Hollywood, it's crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-gann/so-many-young-pets-burn-out-in-hollywood-it-s-crazy/) [Jason Gann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-gann/) > [“Dragon’s blood, an extremely potent magical material, surely ranks among the Top 20 most popular spell-casting ingredients. No need to emulate Saint George, dragon’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judika-illes/dragon-s-blood-an-extremely-potent-magical-material-surely-ranks/) Judika Illes > [Well, I can certainly see why we're trying to keep them alive. Who wouldn't want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“My mother said my father had a drop of dragon blood.” “Two drops. That, or a cock six feet long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/my-mother-said-my-father-had-a-drop-of-dragon-blood-two-drops-that-or/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Hand over the prophecy and no one need get hurt," said Malfoy coolly. It was Harry's turn to laugh. "Yeah, right!" he said. "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hand-over-the-prophecy-and-no-one-need-get-hurt-said-malfoy-coolly-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Someone's dead," said Malfoy, and his voice seemed to go up an octave as he said it. "One of your people...I don't know who,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/someone-s-dead-said-malfoy-and-his-voice-seemed-to-go-up-an-octave-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sure you can manage that broom, Potter?" said a cold, drawling voice. Draco Malfoy had arrived for a closer look, Crabbe and Goyle right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sure-you-can-manage-that-broom-potter-said-a-cold-drawling-voice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You know how I think they choose people for Gryffindor team?" said Malfoy loudly a few minutes later, as Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-how-i-think-they-choose-people-for-gryffindor-team-said/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by J.K. Rowling > [“Our Chasers Aren’t Cheating! That was the stunned reaction of Quidditch fans across Britain last night when the so-called “Stooging Penalty” was announced by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/our-chasers-aren-t-cheating-that-was-the-stunned-reaction-of/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were still shining.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/snape-pointed-at-the-parchment-on-which-the-words-of-messrs-moony/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [ “Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus \[ never tickle a sleeping dragon \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/draco-dormiens-nunquam-titillandus-never-tickle-a-sleeping-dragon/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“An intense cold swept over them all. Harry felt his own breath catch in his chest. The cold went deeper than his skin. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/an-intense-cold-swept-over-them-all-harry-felt-his-own-breath-catch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“If you're not Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," said Ron, "but no pressure." "Ron!" Lily and Hugo laughed, but Albus and Rose looked solemn. "He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/if-you-re-not-gryffindor-we-ll-disinherit-you-said-ron-but-no/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“You want to give it a look, Xeno is printing all the stuff the Prophet’s ignoring, not a single mention of Crumple-Horned Snorkacks in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/you-want-to-give-it-a-look-xeno-is-printing-all-the-stuff-the-prophet/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Sellotape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/he-wore-round-glasses-held-together-with-a-lot-of-sellotape-because/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher,’” Harry read. “How’re we supposed to get up there?” As though in answer to his question, the trapdoor suddenly opened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/sybill-trelawney-divination-teacher-harry-read-how-re-we-supposed-to/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Harry et Ron furent enchantés d’entendre Hagrid qualifier Rusard de « vieille ganache ».”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-et-ron-furent-enchant-s-d-entendre-hagrid-qualifier-rusard-de/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“There was no waking from this nightmare, no comforting whisper in the dark that he was safe really, that it was all in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/there-was-no-waking-from-this-nightmare-no-comforting-whisper-in-the/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well, I reckon you should --" Ron began, but he was interrupted by the Fat Lady, who had been watching them sleepily and now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-reckon-you-should-ron-began-but-he-was-interrupted-by-the-fat/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“LOOK AT THIS SNAKE!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/look-at-this-snake/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Psst!” said a voice, and he looked around to see a wispy little witch and the ferrety wizard from Magical Maintenance gesturing to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/psst-said-a-voice-and-he-looked-around-to-see-a-wispy-little-witch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“You're scary when you're in a good mood, you know that ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/you-re-scary-when-you-re-in-a-good-mood-you-know-that/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) [Explore all 1,347 J.K. Rowling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all at once?” “Just because they’re not very pretty, it doesn’t mean they’re not useful,” Hermione snapped. “Dragon blood’s amazingly magical, but you wouldn’t want a dragon for a pet, would you?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.K. Rowling" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-said/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dragon Pet" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-said/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-k-rowling-86_dragon-pet_well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-tryin_21708.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-k-rowling-86_dragon-pet_well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-tryin_21708.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/j-k-rowling-86_dragon-pet_well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-tryin_21708.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t…” — J.K. Rowling", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "J.K. Rowling", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Well, I can certainly see why...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-said/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-said/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```