OoP spoilers - Why I hate the prefect selection etc.

[skyw1ngs]

No: HPFGUIDX 71978

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Cate" <cate at e...> wrote:
> Alia: (snip)
> What the almighty heck was Dumbledore playing at making *RON* of 
all 
> people a prefect?!?!? When I was in school, prefects were chosen 
> based on a combination of things - popularity, sure, but more 
> importantly, marks, points (official or otherwise), and above all 
> *LEADERSHIP QUALITIES*.
> 
> Ok, so aside from the fact that prior to this book, JKR has always 
> implied that Harry was a better student than Ron, and it's clear 
he's 
> had more points than Ron - Ron has never shown anything like a 
> leadership quality.
> 
> Me:
> Perhaps Dumbledore is hoping to inspire leadership in Ron. Look at 
the 
> way Ron came alive in the few times he's managed to grab the 
spotlight 
> instead of Harry. When he was attacked in POA and then in OOTP 
when he 
> helped win the Quidditch game. It's not just his hair that's fiery.
> 
> Following Harry isn't necessary a bad thing, he's followed Harry 
into 
> all sorts of darkness and danger which shows tremendous loyalty 
and 
> courage which are excellent attributes in a leader.
> 
> If teachers and people of authority always played to a person's 
> strengths, they'd never learn anything knew. If Dumbledore chose 
Harry 
> as prefect, he'd be in a position he's somewhat used to: the 
center of 
> attention and someone others look up to. Whereas Ron, who tends to 
> stick to the shadows, has a chance to prove himself as more than 
just 
> a sidekick. It shows growth and maturity. We have to learn to grow.
> 
> I think it's wonderful Dumbledore (though I'm sure Professor 
> McGonagall, being Head of House, had a hand in it) chose Ron as a 
> prefect. Hopefully it will inspire more confidence in himself 
instead 
> of relying on others. He could learn to stand up for himself and 
faith 
> in his own abilities and decisions.
> 
> Cate


Yes, I'll have to side with the Ronists. I think he needs that 
chance.

Harry was the obvious choice but he had loads of other things to 
worry about. Fair enough.

Who was left? Neville lacks self-confidence (and that might plummet 
even more if people didn't respect his authority), and Dean and 
Seamus would be mediocre prefects. 

Ron, on the other hand, I believe, has the potential to be more than 
he is right now. Like I said in another post, Angelina had it right: 
he needs the opportunity and some time to prove himself. Obviously, 
McGonagall had quite a bit of say, being head of Gryffindor. And I 
think it's worth a mention that she seems to encourage him in her 
classes, simply by asking him to attempt a transfiguration spell in 
front of the class.

I think it was great that the professors chose Ron, knowing he has 
the potential and needed the chance, and knowing that he'd have 
Hermione to help him out. What better reason to appoint him than 
knowing that they would achieve more by it than by appointing Dean 
or Seamus (or even Harry who doesn't need to learn how to be a 
leader)?

I think the choice of Hermione would have had some impact on 
choosing Ron. If any other Gryffindor girl was chosen, she would 
have no control over Ron and he wouldn't learn. The professors chose 
Ron to allow him to develop with the help of Hermione.

sky.