OotP Harry not a prefect & his Inner Voice

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 115079



feklar wrote:
" Personally, my first reaction was, "Why would Harry have expected be
a prefect?  And how the hell did Ron become one?!"  ...edited... Harry
seems to be indifferent about both academics and rules, so why on
earth was he even interested in being a prefect, much less think he 
qualified? "

bboyminn replied :
"First remember that there is a very small pool of candidates for
Gryffindor Prefect; Harry, Ron, Neville, Seamus, & Dean. Neville,
Seamus, and Dean certainly haven't done anything outstanding in their
school careers. Academically, they seem roughly the same as Harry and
Ron, but Harry and Ron have shown that they can take initiative, and
keep their heads (in more ways than one) under pressure. "

Del answers :
I agree with Feklar that there was no reason Harry should have
expected to be a Prefect. In fact, I was surprised that he was even
jealous of Ron, because Harry never looked for honors or leading
positions. He never dreamed of becoming anyone important at school,
unlike Ron. So why would he have wanted to become Prefect ? Especially
after the Percy fiasco. Percy was everything Harry never wanted to be
: pompous, bossy, studious, and he was also the only Prefect Harry
ever knew personally, so why ever would he want to become a Prefect ??

I disagree strongly that Harry was the only choice. For all we know,
Dean, Seamus or maybe even Neville could have been just as good
candidates, according to Steve's standards. Here are a few reasons why :

1. Neville did earn his House 10 points in PS/SS for trying to make
his Housemates obey the rules !

2. We know that Neville isn't a very good student, but then Ron isn't
either. As for Dean and Seamus, we just don't know how good they are.
For all we know, one of them might be second-best Gryffindor of the
year, right behind Hermione.

3. Dean or Seamus could be president of a number of clubs in which
they demonstrate high leadership qualities, just like Harry did with
the DA. The fact that Harry doesn't know about it doesn't mean it
isn't there.

4. I don't remember reading about either Dean or Seamus losing their
heads while in difficult situation. And anyway, this doesn't seem to
be a necessary quality, considering that Hermione was chosen as
Prefect, and we *know* she can freeze when in danger.

I personally think DD made Ron and Hermione Prefects in order to let
the Trio free to act as they wanted. He didn't want to risk a
dormitory-mate getting a big head and putting hurdles in the Trio's path.

Steve asked :
"If the Death Eaters start kicking down the front door, ask yourself,
who better to guide and protect the first years, Harry and Ron, or
Dean and Seamus? Personally, I'd prefer Harry and Ron."

Del answers :
Actually, no ! If the Dementors came to Hogwarts, Harry would have
much better things to do than guiding the midgets to safety, like
fighting the Dementors, for example.

Del