[HPforGrownups] Ron as prefect?

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 105771

On 12 Jul 2004 at 5:42, sad1199 wrote:

> I have a question that has probably already been posted. If so, 
> please direct me... Question is, what qualities does Ron possess to 
> make him a prefect? Unless Dumbledore chose him to help protect 
> Harry in the future, I would think that his ordinary grades and lack 
> of leadership would eliminate him from the process. One would think 
> Seamus or Dean would be better prefect material than Ron.

Well, even if everything you say about Ron is true, the TOGA 
principle could always apply. TOGA = The Only Guy Available.

Harry is eliminated from consideration because of everything else 
that is going on in his life. Neville's grades are almost certainly 
worse than Ron's, and at the start of Fifth Year, he doesn't really 
show much sign of leadership potential. Dean and Seamus *might* 
have better grades than Rone, and *might* have greater leadership 
potential, but there's no real reason to suppose they do.

Ron may simply be the best choice out of what's available.

But also understand that good marks aren't really that essential 
for a prefect. It's a bonus, but prefect should not really be a 
office given on the basis of academic performance.

What's important is *character* - and Ron is shown as being both 
brave when he needs to be, and loyal when he needs to be - two very 
important factors in his character.

In terms of leadership - well, I don't think Ron shows any real 
signs of being a great leader - but he really hasn't had the 
opportunity to do so, in his life. He's lived in the shadow of five 
older brothers with dominant personalities. And since starting at 
Hogwarts, he's always been in Harry's shadow. If he'd had a real 
chance to show leadership and hadn't done so, I'd be worried - but 
he hasn't had a chance.

Understand that a prefect at a school is *still* a pupil, and as 
such the school is generally still concerned with teaching and 
moulding the pupil. Being a prefect is often meant to be a learning 
experience for the prefect - as well as a position of authority. 
It's quite often a position given to people on the basis that they 
have *potential* that is so far untapped.

Ron is being given a chance to show his potential - and given three 
of his brothers have been prefects (one a Head Boy) and the other 
two are leaders in other ways, it's certainly likely that it's 
considered possible he has a great deal of potential.


Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia