Choice of James as Head Boy (was Re: James, a paragon of virtue?)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 123838


Noe: 
> At the end, Dumbledore chooses a coragenous, charismatic, 
> gryffindor 'reformed bully' like James as a Head Boy . And yes, by 
> then James has changed his ways and he is more matured; and yes, 
> Albus respects and appreciates very much that kind of effort 
> (fortunately also for DE!Snape); but I'm not *at all* sure that an 
> ex-bully (or part-time bully, if you are teen!Snape) would make a 
> good 'role model'. (exactly what I think the `Head Boy' post 
> represents, IMHO)
> 
> Remember that Tom Riddle was also made Head Boy, so Slytherin 
> qualities can be very much appreciated too.


Potioncat:
I think DD appreciates the qualities that S.Slytherin valued, 
although he wouldn't go as far in the "means for an end" as a 
Slytherin might.(Pretty darn close though, if you ask me.) He may be 
biased toward Gryffindor, but not by much.

Unless I'm mistaken, we really only know three Head Boys:  Tom 
Riddle (chosen by Dippet), James Potter and Percy Weasley (chosen by 
DD) Tom and Percy both had 12 NEWTS or was it OWLs? (Someone? 
Anyone?)

In JP's year group, we only know the Marauders and Snape. So we 
don't know what the competition for the position was like. Sorry, I 
can't see Severus as Head Boy material, although I'm sure he might 
think he deserved to be one. Absolutely not Sirius...Peter and Remus 
don't seem to fit the bill either. Based on the glowing reports we 
all knew about James before we fell into the Pensieve with Harry, I 
think James must have done a major about face.  Add that to the 
courage he demonstrated in rescuing Severus and he probably deserved 
the role of Head Boy.

Potioncat, who hopes everyone appreciates her support of James