[HPforGrownups]Snape & James vs Sirius

[melclaros]

No: HPFGUIDX 57048

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Annechan <Anne at c...> wrote:

I know it's a bad deduction, but I always believed that Head Boy was 
a 
distinction that you give to the best student (regardless of their 
house). It's not a popularity contest, since Percy is a Head Boy 
(once 
again I may assume wrongly that he is not popular). It's not based on 
a 
quidditch value, since Charlie wasn't a Head Boy, but only a 
quidditch 
captain.



Mel:
Actually it is rather like a popularity contest. Certainly there are 
qualifications and a complete dunderhead would never be head boy or 
girl, but it's more than just the "top marks" in grades. I can't 
speak for Hogwarts but in most cases candidates are "nominated" by 
teachers/staff and evaluated on several points. It is entirely 
possible that Severus outscored James but was passed over for Head 
Boy (would he WANT to be head boy?) because of his reputation for 
hexes. Same with Sirius...HE could have outscored Potter as well, but 
his hot-headedness and unthinking attitude would have cost him points.

As you pointed out, it's said they were "bright" and 
even "Exceptionally bright" but I don't think it ever said, "James 
Potter and Sirius Black were the smartest kids in school". That HAS 
been said, or something very like it, however about Tom Riddle.

Mel