Speculative analysis on the trio as prefects

[caliburncy at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27692

Okay, so in response to Amy's prefect polls, I thought I would map 
out, in my opinion, how each potential combination of the trio as 
prefects might affect their relationship with each other.  Undoubtedly 
this has been done before, but as this is my speculation and no one 
else's, hopefully it will not prove too repetitive.

Please note that I am covering literally every possible trio 
combination, not just the ones that seem most likely or the ones that 
appear to fit the rules for choosing prefects.  For example, from 
what we have seen so far and from similar real life school systems, it 
is highly unlikely that there is any way for two boys from the same 
house to become prefects.  But as I know of no conclusive 
contradictory canon evidence, it still warrants inclusion, for sake of 
completeness and, as always in this twisty unpredictable world, just 
in case.  If you protest vehemently to these cases that do not seem to 
fit what we know of how prefects are chosen, feel free to skip them.

I am trying to evaluate the reactions of the trio based on my current 
understanding of their characters.  I am not trying to pass any value 
judgment on whose reactions are "best".  That is immaterial and for me 
to put such a spin on this would contaminate the honesty of the 
assessment.  In any case, I love all of these characters and I hope 
that no one interprets any of my comments as insultatory to them.

I am also not trying to pass much judgment on which possibility would 
be the "best" for JKR to employ, although I do have opinions along 
these lines.  It also depends greatly on whether it is JKR's intention 
to make the prefect situation a source of conflict and growth, 
pure humor, or just a "fact" as part of the new year to be afterward 
relatively ignored in consequence (at least consequences for the 
trio's relationship).

Since there are similarities of result for some of the possibilities, 
I will try not to repeat them where they can be inferred.  For 
example, the possibility of Hermione dealing with disappointment, also 
leads to the possible end results of what she might learn from the 
experience.  So I will mention the disappointment in a repeat case, 
but not the identical lesson.

Now then, "The Possibilities":

1) Hermione becomes a prefect, Harry and Ron do not

In my opinion, the easy way out--the situation with the least 
conflict.  Hermione does not have to deal with disappointment.  Ron 
will claim to not care about the fact he didn't become a prefect, but 
secretly will care as it furthers his sense of non-distinction.  But 
his disappointment will be heavily muted and consoled by the shared 
circumstance with Harry, who, incidentally, will not mind at all his 
own not being chosen.

2) Harry becomes a prefect, Hermione and Ron do not

Hermione will convince herself that she is okay with this 
circumstance, but will truly be miffed at Harry's selection, mainly as 
extension of her own dismay at not being chosen.  After overcoming any 
possible resentment toward Harry, which probably won't last long, she 
will have to deal with some of her own insecurity and have to cope 
with not being first for once.  Ron will be jealous of yet another 
case of Harry achieving the sort of distinction Ron desires and might 
express this mostly as the surprise and unfairness of Hermione's not 
being selected.  Neither Hermione nor Ron will find particular 
consolation in the fact that the other was not chosen to be a prefect 
either.  Harry will be upset and depressed at his two friends reaction 
and their temporary alienation of him, which he perceives to be yet 
another case of fame and distinction being something that follows him, 
but that he does not desire, though several people seem to fault him 
for having it.

3) Ron becomes a prefect, Harry and Hermione do not

Harry will be happy for Ron and consoling to Hermione, and thus stuck 
in the middle.  Hermione will make no strong effort to conceal her 
dismay, choosing to express it as the incredulity and unfairness of 
Ron being chosen when she was not.  She may or may not direct this 
anger at Ron--perhaps choosing instead to direct it at the 
prefect-electing body.  Her annoyance will cloud her true feelings for 
a while, which, as in case two, stem from having to deal with her own 
insecurities and the high standard of excellence she sets for herself 
that demands the recognition and approval of others.  She will 
resulting learn to find more of her own self-worth not external to 
herself, but within.  Ron will be so thrilled at being chosen (an 
effect that, though he would be loathe to admit it, will probably be 
amplified by the fact that Harry and Hermione were not), may lead to 
him saying something incredibly stupid and unfeeling, not with bad 
intent, but with the effect of incurring Hermione's wrath in the first 
place.  It is possible this will result in him learning to be more 
empathetic, a skill which is currently not one of his strengths.  He 
will undoubtedly find that the happiness that being a prefect gave him 
was artificial and will discover that distinction in the eyes of 
others is not really what he needs.

4) Harry and Hermione become prefects, Ron does not

This will confirm all of Ron's worst suspicions about his own lack of 
distinction and worth and might easily result in some temporary 
alienation from the trio.  His depression is likely to manifest as 
anger, especially towards Harry, because he expected to a certain 
extent that Hermione would be chosen.  In other words, a major rehash 
of the GOF argument, but with slightly different underpinnings.  
Harry, for his part, may react in a more understanding fashion than he 
did during the GOF argument whereas Hermione may react in a less 
understanding fashion because she is now more directly involved.

5) Harry and Ron become prefects, Hermione does not

Hermione will grow extremely depressed and her insecurities will come 
to a visible surface for Harry and Ron to see.  She may or may not 
react in anger, trying hard to act as though she is okay with the 
situation.  She will find it more difficult to be mad at both of them 
than she would have found it if only one were chosen, because it will 
no longer be possible to rationalize it as somehow the fault of the 
person who was chosen so much as her fault for *not* being, which of 
course is her true and great fear.  So if she does experience anger, 
it may be directed elsewhere like the prefect-electing body.  More 
likely she will react in some other way, perhaps becoming reclusive or 
allowing her performance in class to suffer or becoming less confident 
in her own abilities at a critical moment.  Ron again has the 
possibility of saying something unwise and setting off Hermione.  
Harry will be sympathetic, but relatively helpless to improve the 
situation.

6) Ron and Hermione become prefects, Harry does not

Harry may find, much to his surprise, that because *both* his friends 
were chosen he does feel left out, even though all through his 
Hogwarts years he has not sought this kind of distinction.  It is not 
likely to be a heavily emotional response, but a subtle one, that 
perhaps helps him further learn from and cope with his own destiny, 
and how it is seperate and apart from the kind of destiny others have. 
 Or he may simply react in pleasure for the sake of his friends and 
their resulting happiness (which would also have been the outward 
appearance of the former anyway).  Hermione may express a certain 
degree of shock at Ron's being chosen, but it will not call into 
question her self-worth, because she was chosen too.  Ron will be 
extremely pleased to have achieved distinction and may even lord it 
over Harry unintentionally, but Harry will not react very badly, 
although it may be the catalyst to cause him to realize he doesn't 
really wish to be left out.

7) Harry, Ron and Hermione all become prefects

Assuming this is even possible, this is the prefect equivalent of 
OBHWF, and therefore will create no apparent conflict, just an 
artificial and inconsequential happiness.

8) None of the trio become prefects

Harry and Ron will react well for their own part.  Ron will be 
secretly coping with his own desire to have been a prefect, but 
outwardly will only express surprise and dismay that Hermione wasn't 
chosen.  It may eventually come out that he too was hoping for such a 
distinction.  Hermione will still have to deal with a strong sense of 
disappointment that she was not chosen.  Although Harry and Ron were 
also not chosen, this will prove very little consolation to her, 
although their additional support (as opposed to just shared 
circumstances) may be more helpful and readily accepted.

Thoughts?

-Luke