OotP Harry not a prefect & his Inner Voice

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 115092


> Del wrote:
> 
> > 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. 
<snip> 
> > 
> > 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.
> 
> Cory replied:
> 
> Reverting back to Del's logic from above -- you're right, we 
haven't read about Dean or Seamus losing their heads...but we 
haven't read  about them *not* doing so either, right?  For all we 
know, Dean and Seamus could be the two people in the entire world 
who are most likely to fold under pressure.  After all, just because 
Harry hasn't seen it doesn't mean it isn't there...right?
> 
> To defend Hermione for a second -- she has shown herself not to be 
> perfect in that regard, but we have seen her in situations where 
she has responded well under pressure too, haven't we?  In SS, she 
was able to remember how to escape Devil's Snare even though they 
were in a life-threatening situation.  I know there are other 
examples of her responding well to pressure, but I can't spend the 
time to think right now.  In short, I would argue that while she's 
not as good as Harry in that regard, she's not bad in that regard 
either.


Hannah now:  I don't understand why being calm under pressure is 
such an important quality for a prefect.  Surely it's more about 
being reliable and well behaved, and a good role model.  

I think making Neville a prefect would have done him a lot of good.  
It would have been a boost to his self-esteem, and he could have 
gone to his Gran and said 'look, I've actually done something for 
the old family honour.'  It's a shame that DD didn't, IMO.

As for Dean and Seamus, it might be nice for them to get some 
attention for once.  They are overshadowed by Harry and Ron (who 
also shares in some of Harry's glory and adventures, even though he 
himself feels overshadowed sometimes).  Dean shows maturity and 
fairness in OotP by not getting embroiled in the row between Seamus 
and Harry.  He manages to stay friends with both of them, and takes 
Seamus along to the DA once he sees sense. 

Harry and Ron aren't obvious choices for prefects just because of 
their heroics in the past.  It makes more sense to me to have somone 
who *isn't* in the middle of an epic good vs. evil battle with the 
drak lord.  Harry, Ron and Neville all have enough to do.  Dean or 
Seamus could focus more on being a prefect.

Hannah, whose time as a prefect consisted of standing around outside 
doors in the cold at breaktimes and trying to persuade kids twice 
her size that they shouldn't go through.