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{{Appearance}}
 
{{Appearance}}
{{Pottermore}}
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{{Pottermoreold}}
 
{{Organisation infobox
 
{{Organisation infobox
|name=Hogwarts Prefects
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|name=Prefect
|image=[[File:Prefect Badge.jpg|250px]]
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|image=[[File:PrefectBadgePottermore.png|200px]]
 
|bgcolor1=800080
 
|bgcolor1=800080
 
|bgcolor2=FFFF00
 
|bgcolor2=FFFF00
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*[[Ravenclaw]]
 
*[[Ravenclaw]]
 
*[[Slytherin]]
 
*[[Slytherin]]
|enemies=*Misbehaved students
+
|enemies=*Misbehaving students
 
*[[Peeves]]}}{{Quote|What would we want to be prefects for? It'd take all the fun out of life.|[[George Weasley]]|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
*[[Peeves]]
 
}}{{Quote|What would we want to be prefects for? It'd take all the fun out of life.|[[George Weasley]]|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
 
   
A '''prefect''' at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] is a student who has been given extra authority and responsibilities by the [[Head of House]] or [[Headmaster]] or headmistress. One male and one female student are chosen from each house in their [[fifth year]] to act as prefects, and would continue to be prefects in their [[Sixth year|sixth]] and [[seventh year]]s until they leave school. Thus, there are approximately six prefects per house, and twenty-four prefects in the whole school at one time. The [[Head Boy]] and [[Head Boy|Head Girl]] may be chosen from among this number and may not be replaced, but, like with James Potter, the Head Boy or Girl does not have to be a prefect.
+
A '''prefect''' at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] is a student who has been given extra authority and responsibilities by the [[Head of House]][[Headmaster]] or headmistress. One male and one female student are chosen from each house in their [[fifth year]] to act as prefects, and would continue to be prefects in their [[Sixth year|sixth]] and [[seventh year]]s until they leave school. Thus, there are approximately six prefects per house, and twenty-four prefects in the whole school at one time. The [[Head Boy]] and [[Head Girl]] may be chosen from among this number and may not be replaced, but, like with James Potter, the Head Boy or Girl does not have to be a prefect.
   
 
The Weasley family is noted for having had several prefects among its sons - first [[William Weasley|Bill]], next is [[Charles Weasley|Charlie]], then [[Percy Weasley|Percy]] and finally [[Ronald Weasley]]. Percy in particular is known to have been mercilessly persecuted by his brothers [[Fred Weasley|Fred]] and [[George Weasley|George]], who once bewitched his Prefect's badge to read "Pinhead", and were once quoted by Ron as having "always said that only prats become Prefects".
 
The Weasley family is noted for having had several prefects among its sons - first [[William Weasley|Bill]], next is [[Charles Weasley|Charlie]], then [[Percy Weasley|Percy]] and finally [[Ronald Weasley]]. Percy in particular is known to have been mercilessly persecuted by his brothers [[Fred Weasley|Fred]] and [[George Weasley|George]], who once bewitched his Prefect's badge to read "Pinhead", and were once quoted by Ron as having "always said that only prats become Prefects".
   
 
==Role==
 
==Role==
[[File:Prefects_Bath.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Prefect's bathroom]]
+
[[File:Prefects_Bath.jpg|thumb|left|170px|A picture of the Prefect's bathroom.]]
 
{{Dialogue a-b|[[Molly Weasley|Mrs. Weasley]]| I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]], how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!|[[George Weasley|George]]| What are [[Fred Weasley|Fred]] and I, next-door neighbours?|Upon learning that Ron was appointed a Gryffindor Prefect.|}}
 
{{Dialogue a-b|[[Molly Weasley|Mrs. Weasley]]| I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]], how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!|[[George Weasley|George]]| What are [[Fred Weasley|Fred]] and I, next-door neighbours?|Upon learning that Ron was appointed a Gryffindor Prefect.|}}
   
Prefects are allowed to take [[House points]] away from other students in their own house as a penalty for rule-breaking, but they are not allowed to take points from other prefects or students in other houses. Prefects can give detentions as a form of punishment.
+
Prefects are allowed to take [[House points]] away from students in their own house, but they are not allowed to take points from or other prefects. Prefects can give detentions as a form of punishment.
   
 
Prefects patrol the corridors of the [[Hogwarts Express]] on the way to school and attend a meeting in a special prefects' carriage where they are instructed by the Head Boy and Girl. They also patrol hallways to ensure that other students are not breaking curfew. There is a [[Prefects' bathroom|bathroom]] with a large, pool-like bath on the fifth floor of [[Hogwarts Castle]] that is reserved for prefects and [[Quidditch]] captains. It is located at the fifth door to the left of the statue of [[Boris the Bewildered]]. The only known password to this bathroom is "pine fresh", which was used during the [[1994–1995 school year]].
 
Prefects patrol the corridors of the [[Hogwarts Express]] on the way to school and attend a meeting in a special prefects' carriage where they are instructed by the Head Boy and Girl. They also patrol hallways to ensure that other students are not breaking curfew. There is a [[Prefects' bathroom|bathroom]] with a large, pool-like bath on the fifth floor of [[Hogwarts Castle]] that is reserved for prefects and [[Quidditch]] captains. It is located at the fifth door to the left of the statue of [[Boris the Bewildered]]. The only known password to this bathroom is "pine fresh", which was used during the [[1994–1995 school year]].
   
 
Prefects have other responsibilities as student leaders. They show the [[first year]]s the way to their dormitories on their first day of school at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], and supervise the decorating of the castle for Christmas (and presumably other events as well). They also watch the younger students when bad weather keeps them indoors over break times.<ref>{{HP5}}, Chapter 21</ref>
 
Prefects have other responsibilities as student leaders. They show the [[first year]]s the way to their dormitories on their first day of school at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], and supervise the decorating of the castle for Christmas (and presumably other events as well). They also watch the younger students when bad weather keeps them indoors over break times.<ref>{{HP5}}, Chapter 21</ref>
[[File:Percy.jpg|thumb|Percy Weasley when he was a prefect in 1991]]
+
[[File:Percy.jpg|thumb|A picture of Percy Weasley when he was a prefect in 1991.]]
   
 
Once a student becomes a prefect, they have a better chance of becoming Head Boy or Head Girl; however, a student is not required to earn the former honour in order to earn the latter. This fact was exemplified in the knowledge that [[Remus Lupin]] was a [[Gryffindor]] prefect but [[James Potter I|James Potter]] was later appointed the Head Boy.
 
Once a student becomes a prefect, they have a better chance of becoming Head Boy or Head Girl; however, a student is not required to earn the former honour in order to earn the latter. This fact was exemplified in the knowledge that [[Remus Lupin]] was a [[Gryffindor]] prefect but [[James Potter I|James Potter]] was later appointed the Head Boy.
   
Prefects are given a [[Prefect badge|badge]]; the colours are the colours of the prefect's House and/or silver<ref name>{{HP1}}</ref>. They are supposed to wear the badge on their school uniform. The badge would have the letter "P" on it while the Head Boy's badge would have "Head Boy" on it, and the Head Girl's with "Head Girl". If the prefect is on his or her house [[Quidditch team]], he or she would not be required to wear the prefect badge on their Quidditch robes.
+
Prefects are given a [[Prefect badge|badge]]; the colours are the colours of the prefect's House and/or silver<ref>{{HP1}}</ref>. They are supposed to wear the badge on their school uniform. The badge would have the letter "P" on it while the Head Boy's badge would have "Head Boy" on it, and the Head Girl's with "Head Girl". If the prefect is on his or her house [[Quidditch team]], he or she would not be required to wear the prefect badge on their Quidditch robes.
   
[[File:Prefect_Badge.jpg|frame|Ron Weasley's prefect badge]]
+
[[File:Prefect_Badge.jpg|frame|A picture of Ron Weasley's prefect badge when he was a Prefect.]]
[[Hermione Granger]] was a sensible prefect, and took the role very seriously. [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] was a little less serious about it, to the point of neglecting several rules. In fact, he was extremely surprised to be chosen as a prefect as he expected [[Albus Dumbledore|Professor Dumbledore]] would have chosen [[Harry Potter|Harry]]. Dumbledore thought Harry would have too much on his mind and gave it to Ron instead. Ron received a [[Percy Weasley's letter to Ronald Weasley (1995) II|letter]] from his brother [[Percy Weasley|Percy]], stating that Ron might risk losing his badge by associating with the apparently dangerous [[Harry Potter]]. This may mean if the prefects cross a certain point of abusing their powers, they might have their position revoked.
+
[[Hermione Granger]] was a sensible prefect, and took the role very seriously. [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] was a little less serious about it, to the point of neglecting several rules. In fact, he was extremely surprised to be chosen as a prefect as he expected [[Albus Dumbledore|Professor Dumbledore]] would have chosen [[Harry Potter|Harry]]. Dumbledore thought Harry would have too much on his mind and gave it to Ron instead. Ron received a [[Percy Weasley's letter to Ronald Weasley (1995) II|letter]] from his brother [[Percy Weasley|Percy]], stating that Ron might risk losing his badge by associating [[File:0143ootp_ron.jpg|thumb|left|Ron Weasley,a Prefect]]with the apparently dangerous [[Harry Potter]]. This may mean if the prefects cross a certain point of abusing their powers, they might have their position revoked.
   
[[Draco Malfoy]] and [[Pansy Parkinson]] abused their positions greatly, to the annoyance of [[Hermione Granger]]. In his sixth year, Draco refused to live up to his prefect duties any further, in preference of his [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] mission of [[Plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore|assassinating]] [[Albus Dumbledore]]. This could mean that students have the right to reject the position of prefect any time they desire, or that Draco was severely punished for being irresponsible.
+
[[Draco Malfoy]] and [[Pansy Parkinson]] abused their positions greatly, to the annoyance of [[Hermione Granger]], by being uncharacteristically harsh towards first years and deducting points from students who do not strike their favour. In his sixth year, Draco refused to live up to his prefect duties any further, in preference of his [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]] mission of [[Plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore|assassinating]] [[Albus Dumbledore]]. This could mean that students have the right to reject the position of prefect any time they desire, or that Draco was punished for rejecting his obligations.
   
 
==Known Prefects==
 
==Known Prefects==
[[File:HermininniDOMootp.PNG|thumb|120px|[[Hermione Granger]] in her prefect years.]]
+
[[File:HermininniDOMootp.PNG|thumb|120px|A picture of [[Hermione Granger]] in her prefect years.]]
 
===[[Hufflepuff]]===
 
===[[Hufflepuff]]===
 
*[[Cedric Diggory]]
 
*[[Cedric Diggory]]
 
*[[Gabriel Truman]]
 
*[[Gabriel Truman]]
*[[Ernie Macmillan]]
+
*[[Ernest Macmillan|Ernie Macmillan]]
 
*[[Hannah Abbott]]
 
*[[Hannah Abbott]]
   
 
===[[Gryffindor]]===
 
===[[Gryffindor]]===
 
*[[Albus Dumbledore]]
 
*[[Albus Dumbledore]]
*[[Minerva McGonagall]]<ref name="pottermore">[[Pottermore]] biography of [[Minerva McGonagall]] (transcription available [http://forums.darklordpotter.net/showpost.php?s=4a2e751bddc00f9618a0b1bb6d9ce6fc&p=481284&postcount=443 here])</ref>
+
*[[Minerva McGonagall]]<ref name="pottermore">[[Pottermore]] biography of [[Minerva McGonagall]] (transcription available [http://forums.darklordpotter.net/showpost.php?s=4a2e751bddc00f9618a0b1bb6d9ce6fc&p=481284&postcount=443 here])</ref>
*[[Harry Potter]]
 
 
*[[Remus Lupin]]
 
*[[Remus Lupin]]
  +
[[File:Albus_Percivle_Wulfric_Brian_Dumbledore.jpeg|thumb|Albus Dumbledore,a prefect that later became a headmaster]]
*[[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]]
+
*[[Bill Weasley]]
 
*[[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]]
 
*[[Charles Weasley|Charlie Weasley]]
 
*[[Percy Weasley]]
 
*[[Percy Weasley]]
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*[[Padma Patil]]
 
*[[Padma Patil]]
 
*[[Robert Hilliard]]
 
*[[Robert Hilliard]]
*[[Filius Flitwick]]
 
   
 
===[[Slytherin]]===
 
===[[Slytherin]]===
 
*[[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]] (Lord Voldemort)
 
*[[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]] (Lord Voldemort)
  +
*[[Lucius Malfoy]][[Draco Malfoy|[[File:Draco_Malfoy_(HBP_promo).jpg|thumb|left|164px|Draco Malfoy, a Slytherin Prefect|link=]]]]
*[[Lucius Malfoy]]
 
*[[Draco Malfoy]]
 
 
*[[Pansy Parkinson]]
 
*[[Pansy Parkinson]]
 
*[[Gemma Farley]]
 
*[[Gemma Farley]]
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*[[Dungeon Corridor Slytherin prefect (I)]]
 
*[[Dungeon Corridor Slytherin prefect (I)]]
 
*[[Dungeon Corridor Slytherin prefect (II)]]
 
*[[Dungeon Corridor Slytherin prefect (II)]]
 
* [[Draco Malfoy]]
   
===Prefects whose house is Unknown===
+
===Prefects whose house is unknown===
 
*[[Jake Flinton]]
 
*[[Jake Flinton]]
 
*[[Cyril Meakin]]
 
*[[Cyril Meakin]]
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==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
*There was some confusion about the point-taking ability of prefects after the original release of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''. It had previously been stated in ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' that prefects could dock points, but in a scene in the first printing of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], [[Ernie Macmillan]], and [[Draco Malfoy]] all either state outright or imply that prefects are not allowed to take points. This was pointed out as a mistake, and subsequent printings had a slightly different version of the dialogue, making it clear that prefects ''can'' take points, just not from other prefects.
+
* There was some confusion about the point-taking ability of prefects after the original release of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''. It had previously been stated in ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' that prefects could dock points, but in a scene in the first printing of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], [[Ernest Macmillan|Ernie Macmillan]], and [[Draco Malfoy]] all either state outright or imply that prefects are not allowed to take points. This was pointed out as a mistake, and subsequent printings had a slightly different version of the dialogue, making it clear that prefects ''can'' take points, just not from other prefects.
*[[Quidditch]] captains are given similar rights as the prefects, like the password to the prefect's bathroom, but are not allowed to dock points.
+
* [[Quidditch]] captains are given similar rights as the prefects, like the password to the prefect's bathroom, but are not allowed to dock points.
*In [[1994]], [[Harry Potter]] first experienced using the prefects' bathroom on the fifth floor of the [[Hogwarts Castle]]. Despite the fact that he didn't have the privilege at that time, [[Cedric Diggory]], a [[Hufflepuff]] prefect, gave him the password and permission to use it prior to the second task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]].
+
* In [[1994]], [[Harry Potter]] first experienced using the prefects' bathroom on the fifth floor of the [[Hogwarts Castle]]. Despite the fact that he didn't have the privilege at that time, [[Cedric Diggory]], a [[Hufflepuff]] prefect, gave him the password and permission to use it prior to the second task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]].
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', the subplot of Ron and Hermione being made prefects is dropped, and is likewise omitted from the [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''.
+
* In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', the subplot of Ron and Hermione being made prefects is dropped, and is likewise omitted from the [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''.
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', [[Nathan Lubbock-Smith]] portrays a prefect of an unidentified house.
+
* In the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', [[Nathan Lubbock-Smith]] portrays a prefect of an unidentified house.
  +
* It is also unclear as to who has the power to appoint a Prefect, the Head of House or Headmaster. Dumbledore had stated in the fifth book that he did not want to make Harry a Prefect because he felt he had too much already on his mind. Yet Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson abuse their position greatly and were biased towards their own house. Possibility in their appointment may be influence or recommendation made by Severus Snape, who favoured Slytherins due to them being in his house, or the two were simply the least biased and most suitable when compared to the rest.
  +
  +
==Appearances==
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)]]''
  +
*''[[Pottermore]]''
   
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
   
[[de:Vertrauensschüler (male), Vertrauensschülerin (female)]]
+
[[de:Vertrauensschüler]]
 
[[fr:Préfet]]
 
[[fr:Préfet]]
 
[[it:Prefetto]]
 
[[it:Prefetto]]

Revision as of 19:18, 22 August 2014

"What would we want to be prefects for? It'd take all the fun out of life."
George Weasley[src]

A prefect at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a student who has been given extra authority and responsibilities by the Head of HouseHeadmaster or headmistress. One male and one female student are chosen from each house in their fifth year to act as prefects, and would continue to be prefects in their sixth and seventh years until they leave school. Thus, there are approximately six prefects per house, and twenty-four prefects in the whole school at one time. The Head Boy and Head Girl may be chosen from among this number and may not be replaced, but, like with James Potter, the Head Boy or Girl does not have to be a prefect.

The Weasley family is noted for having had several prefects among its sons - first Bill, next is Charlie, then Percy and finally Ronald Weasley. Percy in particular is known to have been mercilessly persecuted by his brothers Fred and George, who once bewitched his Prefect's badge to read "Pinhead", and were once quoted by Ron as having "always said that only prats become Prefects".

Role

Prefects Bath

A picture of the Prefect's bathroom.

Mrs. Weasley: " I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, Ron, how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!"
George: " What are Fred and I, next-door neighbours?"
— Upon learning that Ron was appointed a Gryffindor Prefect.

Prefects are allowed to take House points away from students in their own house, but they are not allowed to take points from or other prefects. Prefects can give detentions as a form of punishment.

Prefects patrol the corridors of the Hogwarts Express on the way to school and attend a meeting in a special prefects' carriage where they are instructed by the Head Boy and Girl. They also patrol hallways to ensure that other students are not breaking curfew. There is a bathroom with a large, pool-like bath on the fifth floor of Hogwarts Castle that is reserved for prefects and Quidditch captains. It is located at the fifth door to the left of the statue of Boris the Bewildered. The only known password to this bathroom is "pine fresh", which was used during the 1994–1995 school year.

Prefects have other responsibilities as student leaders. They show the first years the way to their dormitories on their first day of school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and supervise the decorating of the castle for Christmas (and presumably other events as well). They also watch the younger students when bad weather keeps them indoors over break times.[1]

Percy

A picture of Percy Weasley when he was a prefect in 1991.

Once a student becomes a prefect, they have a better chance of becoming Head Boy or Head Girl; however, a student is not required to earn the former honour in order to earn the latter. This fact was exemplified in the knowledge that Remus Lupin was a Gryffindor prefect but James Potter was later appointed the Head Boy.

Prefects are given a badge; the colours are the colours of the prefect's House and/or silver[2]. They are supposed to wear the badge on their school uniform. The badge would have the letter "P" on it while the Head Boy's badge would have "Head Boy" on it, and the Head Girl's with "Head Girl". If the prefect is on his or her house Quidditch team, he or she would not be required to wear the prefect badge on their Quidditch robes.

Prefect Badge

A picture of Ron Weasley's prefect badge when he was a Prefect.

Hermione Granger was a sensible prefect, and took the role very seriously. Ron Weasley was a little less serious about it, to the point of neglecting several rules. In fact, he was extremely surprised to be chosen as a prefect as he expected Professor Dumbledore would have chosen Harry. Dumbledore thought Harry would have too much on his mind and gave it to Ron instead. Ron received a letter from his brother Percy, stating that Ron might risk losing his badge by associating

0143ootp ron

Ron Weasley,a Prefect

with the apparently dangerous Harry Potter. This may mean if the prefects cross a certain point of abusing their powers, they might have their position revoked.

Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson abused their positions greatly, to the annoyance of Hermione Granger, by being uncharacteristically harsh towards first years and deducting points from students who do not strike their favour. In his sixth year, Draco refused to live up to his prefect duties any further, in preference of his Death Eater mission of assassinating Albus Dumbledore. This could mean that students have the right to reject the position of prefect any time they desire, or that Draco was punished for rejecting his obligations.

Known Prefects

HermininniDOMootp

A picture of Hermione Granger in her prefect years.

Hufflepuff

Gryffindor

File:Albus Percivle Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.jpeg

Albus Dumbledore,a prefect that later became a headmaster

Ravenclaw

Slytherin

Prefects whose house is unknown

Behind the scenes

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. [HP5], Chapter 21
  2. [HP1]
  3. Pottermore biography of Minerva McGonagall (transcription available here)