[HPforGrownups] Speculative analysis on the trio as prefects

[tillrules at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27696

In a message dated 10/15/2001 1:33:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
caliburncy at yahoo.com writes:

>>>>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.
 
This is my guess and preference.  It sets up some nice mini dramas What if 
Hermione catches them doing something wrong?)   without resorting to having 
this be a major issue (see below).

<< 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.
  >>

Personally, I really hope JKR does not go this route.  I think she's really 
done the Ron's jealous of Harry angle to death.  I'd really like to think 
that Ron adds more to the mix than just being jealous of Harry.

If she does got his route, I'd take this as a pretty big indicator that she's 
going to at least flirt with the idea of turning Ron bad.   Continually 
harping on his jealousy would seem to idnicate that he'd eventually be 
tempted to break his loyalty to Harry.  Especially if she also adds that Ron 
sees Harry insulating himself into his family (Harry's parents at the 
challenge were Molly & Bill for example).   Having Ron eventually reject 
Voldemort owuld be a shining moment for him,  but his even being tempeted 
would devalue the character for me.