Prefect Ron? There's worse.

[Karen Fremuth]

No: HPFGUIDX 151198

I have to agree that I thought Ron was an odd choice as a prefect and my 
first reasoning was simply that DD was seeing potential in him and 
wanted to give him a chance, much like Angelina when she chose him for 
the Quidditch team.  With Hermione as his buddy, he would have a strong 
partner to keep him properly directed.  After all, much was made over 
his being "shunted aside" all the time, first because of his brothers, 
then because of Harry.  This would put Ron in a position where he would 
be forced to take a leadership role.  It could be, too, that DD is aware 
of Ron's potential role in Harry's future and putting him in a Prefect 
position would groom him for the tasks ahead.

Now, if we want to talk about odd appointments, what about DRACO???  By 
his father's admission he's not a brilliant student.  He's cowardly, 
bullying, opportunistic, selfish, arrogant, cruel, and he's the most 
likely to abuse his position of power (and did).  What was the logic of 
appointing him Prefect? The only thing I can see in his favor is his 
being Snape's favorite, but unless Snape pleaded his case to DD, I don't 
see why DD would even care about that.

Of course, there is always the same logic applied to Ron---that putting 
him in that position would give him opportunity to prove he's a better 
person....that was clearly a failure if that was the intent.  Otherwise, 
I must assume the appointment was only made in order to support the plot.

Karen F