Prefect Privileges/Powers

[hermowninny719]

No: HPFGUIDX 84087

Forgive me if this has been discussed, but I searched Fantastic Posts 
and couldn't locate any info.

My question is...What privileges/powers do the prefects have with 
regard to disciplining other students?  

We learned in OOP that Prefects do not have power to add or deduct 
house points (OOP pg 625-ish).  When Malfoy informs HRH of the 
Inquisitorial Squad having this power, Hermione responds that this 
will undermine the whole prefect system.

While re-reading COS (again!) I noticed that Percy took 5 points from 
Griffindor when he caught Ron in the Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. (COS 
pg 157-158 approx).

Do these two events conflict, or is there some way both could be true?

Also, what powers do prefects have to hand out punishments, 
detentions or other discipline?  Do we have any canon to show what a 
prefect actually is there for?

I always looked at them as middle-men between the teachers and 
students--the best students lifted up and taught to be leaders.  
However, handing out punishments doesn't really seem to fit with 
that.  Imagine a 5th year Hufflepuff Prefect giving detention to a 
7th year Slytherin--I would hate to be that poor little Hufflepuff

Just a thought...
Hermowninny

(Forgive me if my page numbers are wrong--I looked this up VERY late 
last night and noted the pages.  Then, of course, I forgot to bring 
the note with me to work.  BTW, thank heaven for jobs--without being 
forced to sit in front of a computer 5 hours per day at work, I 
wouldn't ever have time to surf.)