Ron as prefect, and his shortcomings.

[Eric Oppen]

No: HPFGUIDX 106045

If Ron really didn't know that prefects could dock house points, he was
either incredibly clueless, especially since some of his brothers were
prefects (all except Gred-and-Forge), or McGonagall or Dumbledore fell down
on the job.

I'd expect that new prefects would be given some sort of orientation to the
job, to get them genned up on what they were expected to do---what their
powers were, what the limitations on their powers were, what to do when/if
they found themselves in over their heads, and so on.  If D'dore and
McGonagall didn't do this, the older prefects in G House should have taken
on that role.

Personally, I don't much blame Ron for not being able to rein in
Gred-and-Forge---prefect or no prefect, they probably still see him as
"ickle Ronniekins," their baby brother---and they aren't exactly in awe of
_any_ authority figures, save maybe D'dore.  Were I in charge of G House,
I'd have gotten the oldest prefects aside when I found out that G+F were
running amok, and told them: "Look, you two.  I expect you to live up to
those badges.  I don't expect miracles, but keep those two under control."

For that matter, I wonder how well _most_ fifth-year prefects do with older
members of their Houses.  Who knows---by the time Ron's in seventh year
(assuming he survives) he may well have grown into the job, ruling the G
common room with a whim of steel.