Ron as Prefect (Why I hate the prefect selection etc.)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 71947

Just some general comments on Ron becoming Prefect. 

Why is Ron Prefect? 
Because Ron stood out from the rest. I don't necessarily mean standing
out in terms of academic excellence, but you have to admit he has
stood out from the crowd of other students around him; in his year,
and in years above and below. 

He has shown that he can be relied on, he has displayed courage and
initiative, readily face and even chased danger that most would run
from, he has demonstrated fierce loyalty and a willingness to
sacrifice himself for the greater good. Of any of the other student we
know about other than Harry and Hermione, who do we know besides Ron
who has displayed such good character and moral fiber. Like Harry,
he's not a troublemaker, but that doesn't stop trouble from finding him.

Of all the other student, no one has stood out to the degree that Ron
has, or shown such good character except Harry. But Harry has his
problems and those weighed against him; it's as simple as that. Harry
has too many distactions, too many things already weighing on his mind
and demanding his time and attention. Like it or not, a wise
headmaster has to weigh those things. When Dumbledore added up all the
pluses and minuses, it was clear that Ron what the right choice. 

And a headmaster also has to weigh, who would benefit most from being
a Prefect. Harry is already faced with a lot of responsibility, he
doesn't stand to gain much from being Prefect. I also suspect the he,
like Ron, would have been very uncomfortable taking on that additional
responsibility, however Ron will certainly benefit from it. We have
already seen him act less impulsively and more responsibly as a result
of being Prefect, although, a few nudges and reminders from Hermione
have helped the process along.

We would have all assumed Harry would be prefect, but give Harry's
elimination from the process, who better than Ron.

Based on all this, what's done is done; Ron's the Prefect, and Harry
will just have to live with that. To make Harry a Prefect just because
we feel sorry for him would undermine the whole process, and diminish
the value and meaning of all the other people who were made Prefects.
Things should and will stay just the way they are.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn