Ron as prefect? JKR's Big Mistake -Interview

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 105951

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" <drednort at a...>
wrote:
>
> ...edited...
> 
> OK - JKR, does *not* say Ron isn't the best prefect. From the FAQ.
>
> (From JKR Interview/webChat) 
>
> Question: "Can prefects take points or not? A prefect took points 
> from Gryffindor in the Chamber of Secrets, and then there was a 
> reference to prefects not being allowed to dock points. What are 
> the rules?
> 
> Answer: Ron got it wrong in 'Phoenix', from which we deduce that he
> hasn't been a very authoritarian prefect thus far; he clearly hasn't
> been taking points from anybody."
> 
> Shaun


Asian_lovr2:

This quote has been mentioned several times in various thread, and I
have been waiting for someone to challenge it, but it's never come, or
at least not that I've seen. So now I take up the torch.

This is a perfect example of why Interviews and Chats should be
consider /canon-ish/ rather than absolute canon. Why? Because in
spontaneous conversation even the best of us make mistakes.

I was NOT Ron who said Prefects couldn't take points, it was Ernie.

--- Quote - OotP - Am Ed Hb pg 625-626 ---
'Afraid I'm going to have to dock a few points from Gryffindor and
Hufflepuff,' he (Draco) drawled.

'It's only teachers who can dock points from Houses, Malfoy,' said
Ernie at once.[<---ERNIE!]

'Yeah, we're prefects, too, remember?' snarled Ron.

'I know prefects can't dock points, Weasel King,' sneered Malfoy.
Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. 'But members of the Inquisitorial Squad -'

[note: Ernie says Prefects can't and Draco confirms it.]

`The what?'  said Hermione sharply.

[note: Hermione does not contradict Draco on the issue of Prefect
taking points.]

'The Inquisitorial Squad, Granger,' said Malfoy, pointing towards a
tiny silver 'I' on his robes just beneath his prefect's badge.
'...edited... Draco docking specific points....'.

Ron pulled out his wand, but Hermione pushed it away, whispering, 'Don't!'

'Wise move, Granger,' breathed Malfoy. 'New Head, new times

 be good now, Potty
 Weasel King
'

Laughing heartily, he strode away with Crabbe and Goyle.

'He was bluffing,' said Ernie, looking appalled. 'He can't be allowed
to dock points... that would be ridiculous... it would completely
undermine the prefect system.'

[Again, Ernie confirms that Prefects can't take points.]

- - - End quote - - -

If this is a mistake, then it is a mistake by more than one Prefect.


As far as Ron never stepping up an exerting his authority, we don't
know what he did while monitoring the hallways of the school or the
train. But we do have this one incident.

---Quote - OotP Am Ed HB - pg 441 ---
...so they remained grudgingly in the common room, trying to ignore
the gleeful shouts drifting up from the grounds outside, where
students were enjoying themselves skating on the frozen lake,
tobogganing and, worst of all, bewitching snowballs to zoom up to
Gryffindor Tower and rap hard on the windows.

'Oi!' bellowed Ron, finally losing patience and sticking his head out
of the window, 'I am a prefect and if one more snowball hits this
window - OUCH!'

He withdrew his head sharply, his face covered in snow.

'It's Fred and George,' he said bitterly, slamming the window behind
him. 'Gits...'
- - - End Quote - - -

So, it seems when pushed to it, Ron can and will exert his authority,
just not against Fred and George. But then, that would be difficult
for any younger brother to do, especially knowing the eventually it's
going to be summer holiday at which time it will be very difficult to
escape Fred & George's retribution.

As a side note on the subject of Ron with regard to Fred and George, I
think Ron is very much motivated by not being Percy, because if he
does even the smallest thing that resembles Percy and/or goes against
Fred and George, he fears he will be completely alienated. If Fred and
 George treat Ron as they treat Percy then Ron is in for a whole heap
of misery, and he will do anything to avoid that.

Now that Fred and George are gone, Ron can start concentrating on
being Ron, rather than being 'not Percy'.

As a side-side note, I think Ron and Percy are a lot more alike, deep
down, than either of them would ever dare admit.

Just a thought.

Steve/asian_lovr2