How was James Head Boy without being a Prefect?

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 78140

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Rachna" <rachnastar at y...> 
wrote:
> Maybe James was never Head Boy. 
> 
> I mean, most people assume that Hagrid was exaggerating when he 
said 
> that all the dark wizards were from slytherin, so he could've also 
> been exaggerating when he said that Lily and James were Head Girl 
> and Boy.  You know, when people say they were at the top of the 
> class it doesn't necessarily mean they were literally number one, 
> it just means they're doing well.

No, Head Boy/Girl is a very specific position. It's not like the 
difference between being THE top of the class and being 'top of the 
class' (ie always pretty near the top). You are either Head Boy - or 
you aren't.

It's like saying someone was President of the United States. They 
either were, or they weren't. No in-between.

> 
> I think that makes more sense than Lupin stopping being a prefect 
> or Dumbledore giving James Lupin's position.
> 

I think the likeliest explanation is that JKR has picked one of the 
many systems where it is *possible*, though unusual, for a Head 
Boy/Girl to be selected from outside the ranks of Prefects.  

If James had been a prefect later, I think Lupin or Sirius would 
have said so. It would have made Harry feel that he, also, might 
become a Prefect later.

Pip!Squeak