Malfoy and others as Prefects

[rasjelle]

No: HPFGUIDX 45499

Hi, just throwing in some thoughts:

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Fyre Wood" <fyredriftwood at y...> wrote:
> From what I've read, it looks as though 1-2 students are chosen 
from 
> each house to become a prefect. Now that Harry and company are 
> getting to be upper class, do you think that there's the 
possibility 
> of perhaps any of them becoming prefects?
> 
> Gryffindor
> Hermione Granger
> or Neville Longbottom
> 
If there's just one Gryffindor prefect, than I don't have much doubt 
that it will be Hermione. She does seem rather perfect for the job, 
doesn't she? However, if there are two...

Fyre Wood said:
> I don't see Harry becoming one because that would be too easy. He 
> can't kill Voldemort and also become a Prefect, a Quidditch star, 
etc 
> etc etc.
> 
I think that together with Hermione, the two of them might be the 
perfect prefect team for Gryffindor (though I suppose Harry might 
prefer not to be one). In fact, I feel the one reason why Harry 
perhaps shouldn't be a prefect is because of the whole Voldemort 
business, because that is pressure enough. However, sure he can be 
both a Quidditch player and a prefect and have some extra-curricular 
occupations. James managed. 

Now, I have to admit, I have no experience with schoolsystems that 
have prefects or headboys/girls, and I don't know the importance of 
grades when it comes to being elected. As for Ron or Neville, I doubt 
either of them is way better in school than Harry, so if it comes to 
that, perhaps Seamus or Dean will prove themselves to be excellent 
students. 

I also wonder if it will be the Head of Houses that decide on who 
gets to be a prefect, or if the teachers decide together and if 
Dumbledore has anything to say about it (as he doesn't appear to 
spend much time with students himself). If it is just the head of 
house, than I don't doubt that Malfoy will be the Slytherin prefect. 
If however the other teachers or Dumbledore have a say... Surely one 
of them would understand that Draco's bigotted views and nasty 
dispostion to teachers like Hagrid are perhaps not the qualities the 
body of the junior students ought to be looking up to. 

The thing why Harry seems perfect as a Gryffindor prefect to me 
though, is that he has proven himself a great Gryffindor throughout 
his years at Hogwarts: Perhaps even the classic example of what a 
Gryffindor ought to be like. (Sure he breaks the rules occasionally 
and flies a car into a tree, but how many times of those do the 
teachers know about? Plus it's about the general way Harry comes 
across, and I feel his good qualities concerning this far outweigh 
his bad. Often Harry doesn't look for trouble, trouble finds him). 

The Sorting Hat: "...in Gryffindor
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;"

In his first year, Harry is awarded sixty points for "...pure nerve, 
and outstanding courage..." Also, Dumbledore seems "quite delighted" 
about the way Harry went about finding out about and interfering with 
the Stone."

In his second year, Harry wins 200 points and receives an Award for 
Special Services to the School (as of course, does Ron), and he saves 
Ginny's life while defeating Riddle. He shows Dumbledore real loyalty 
(calling Fawkes to him) and pulls Godric's sword from the Sorting 
Hat, proving himself to be a true Gryffindor. Seems like perfect 
Gryffindor material to me. 

In his fourth year, Dumbledore tells him: "You have shown bravery 
beyond anything I could have expected of you tonight, Harry. You have 
shown bravery equal to those who died fighting Voldemort at the 
height of his powers. You have shoulderd a grown wizard's burden an 
dfound yourself equal to it." and again at the  feast: "He showed, in 
every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown 
in facing Lord Voldemort...". Sounds like Dumbledore rather respects 
Harry's abilities, especially his bravery; and that's exactly what 
the Sorting Hat praises in Gryffindors. 

Harry looks to me like an excellent choice to represent Gryffindor 
House. Together with Hermione (as the brilliant, upstanding student 
who definitely has excellent Gryffindor qualities herself) they would 
be perfect to stand as examples for their fellow students. Hermione 
when it comes to schoolwork and Harry as it comes to conduct.   
> 
Fyre Wood said on Neville becoming a prefect:
> This might be good for Neville, since perhaps all he needs is just 
a 
> little push to get him started. Wouldn't it be nice to finally see 
> him gain confidence.
> 
Yes, it would. But I don't see many reasons why Neville would be a 
more obvious choice than any of the others. This is the boy who 
forgets the password all the time, and who doesn't seem to be a 
remarkable student (even if his herbology grade makes up for his 
abysmal potions one). But I suppose you are right, it might just be 
the push he needs (though he might as well be terrified too). But 
really, I like Neville just the way he is. 

As far as I can see; I've just been arguing to why I think Harry 
might be made a prefect. However, it could perfectly well be Ron or 
one of the other boys, or perhaps Harry doesn't want to be one, or 
perhaps there only is one prefect and it will naturally be Hermione...

The only way to find out is to read OotP, which might take forever.

Rasjelle
Who has lurked for months but is a newbie poster, and who decided to 
stay away from all kitchen appliences until she's read the manuals 
good and proper.