How was James Head Boy without being a Prefect?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 76855

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "sofdog_2000" <sofdog_2000 at y...>
wrote:
>... Hagrid ... mentions that Lily and James were Head Boy and Girl. How
> can this have been if,..., James was never a Prefect? Hasn't Mrs. 
> Weasley pointed out that Prefecthood is the path to Head kidship?
> 
> Sof

bboy_mn:

If you become a Prefect, it's an indicator that you have the
characteristics necessary to perhaps eventually become Head Boy/Girl.
That is, Perfects reflect students who are outstanding, so it's
logical that these outstanding students would frequently become Head
Boy/Girl. But the two aren't directly interrelated. Head Boy isn't
king of the Prefects, it is a separate honor; think of it as
valedictorian.

This Headship is an honor on all fronts but leaning mostly to
outstanding academic achievement and inherent magical skill.
Prefectship is related more toward responsible and trustworthy boys
and girls who by their nature would also do reasonably well in academics.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn