OotP Harry not a prefect & his Inner Voice

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 115083


> 
> 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 ??

Finwitch:
Because it'd show Dumbledore *trusts* him. Harry has so few adults 
who see him as more than a burden and let him know that. He's jealous 
of Dumbledore's attention and trust, not for the badge. After all, 
Dumbledore had been very *distant* previously - enough so for Harry 
to feel abandoned. If Harry had spent his time at Grimauld Place 12 
instead of Dursleys, alone and cut off from news - it would have been 
different for Sirius would have given him the parental attention and 
guidance he sorely needs.

Del: 
> 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.

Finwitch:

Quite so. I particularly like the part about Neville...
Still - now we're in a situation where Ron is a prefect and in the Q-
team while Harry's not. Ron might even accomplish his heart's desire 
now... and he IS a good strategist. He's the one being the Wizard 
chess champion...

Finwitch