Uneasy Lies the Head That Wears a Crown pv

@Grayson Ackley

Every season seemed to draw a new wave of Prefects. Come and go the old ones did, and their Head of House would replace them so that the job got done. There were those that did their job in the most regal manner, taking pride in their ability to delegate amongst the students, and leaving their position rewarded. Why they left always varied- some felt that they should focus more on their studies, or others felt the workload became too much. It was the same general category that each reason fell into; a pit of problems that infested the students time in the role. Still, there were many that gave everyone a run for their money, and set new, higher standards for the role. Alexx liked to believe that she did her job well. She would have liked to think that she was meant for this role, and that her time would not come soon. This was a position she would stick around in and drag behind her, sometimes like a prison weight, others like a little red wagon. New moods spurred with every passing situation.

But then there was the others. Hogwarts had many Prefects. Four per house. This meant there was a large expansion for the categories that each individual Prefect could or would fall into. And no, despite the way they appeared, no one got the title knowing exactly what to do. Alexx remembered shaking and buckling knees as she tugged at the sleeves of the more experienced Prefects, asking for guidance. But then the seasons passed and she got the hang of it all. So, when she stumbled upon another Prefect who needed some guidance, she understood. Especially when the title was freshly bestowed upon them. There was no harm done, none at all. She would happily help and be on her way. Those that listened were safe. Those who did not had much to learn.

So when she spotted a young Gryffindor bearing the badge that shined in the sunlight ignoring a situation that clearly should have been intervened by a Prefect, she did so for him. It was no big deal; she had done this before. "Get on with you, you hooligans!" She shouted at a bunch of first years who were crowded around a fifth year who was throwing paper balls at a girl, attempting to get her attention. "You! Leave her alone! You're being pathetic! Don't you lot have anywhere to be?" The French girl questioned, shooing them off. It wasn't detention worthy, but he was leaving a trail of paper on the grounds. "And pick that up on your way!"

She watched as the students ran, fearing the girl who wore her badge with pride. Alexx would give a detention for any backtalking, and they all knew that. She made a reputation for herself in doing such. So, they left, hurriedly. A few stumbled and dropped some stuff as they went, looking at her all wide-eyed with fear. Only a stern glance was portrayed on her face, leaving her eyebrows cinched and lips pursed. Once they left, she turned back to the Gryffindor. "You know you should be cracking down on that stuff, right?" She asked, raising her eyebrows at him. Alexx was definitely a perfectionist. Maybe she was reaching when she got onto people, but one could never be too careful. Therefore, she didn't take any chances. Not on her watch would things slip between the cracks.

Studying the boy, he appeared as young as he likely was. Green. Green as a cabbage. It was always neat to see the contrasts between her year and other years. There were rarely similarities between herself and the first years. It wasn't surprising, as she definitely was more matured than they, but she thought back to even the girl that she was, and she found no relation. She didn't need to speak to Grayson to know that there wasn't a similarity in sight. Perhaps he might have been responsible enough for Professor Wright to want to give him the position, but that also didn't mean much. There was merit in becoming a Prefect, but to what extent? When you see them come and go, or when you look at the Prefects that were and you realize the characteristics of those you do or don't like, you might find yourself asking what is the key factor that determines the presentation of the role. What is the common denominator, if you will, between someone like Alexx and someone like Grayson? What outstanding achievements had he done to be presented with the role? And then she thought of Prefects like Aurelia, and she considered the possibility that maybe anyone could get the role. Did she slide Professor Wright a few galleons? Would anyone ever know the truth?

So it definitely was a situation for her to offer her advice. He would grow and learn, and she couldn't be mad at a new Prefect for not knowing. Her face softened a bit. She should try a calmer approach. Still, it concerned her. Had he not gone through any training, or did he just not see this as a problem? "Stuff like that is what you're here for, kiddo." She informed him, though her poker face didn't break. There was not a smirk or smile in sight, nor was there any glimmer in her eyes. She was a blank canvas, blinking at the boy in front of her, awaiting his response. Was it really up to her to teach the ways of the job? If so, she had a lot more students to hunt down. Who knew how bad this situation was. Perhaps she should suggest a Prefect training committee. If Aurelia was the one who taught him the ways of the job, then she supposed it made sense. With people like her on the job, things were bound to go wrong. She pitied him slightly. At least she had the privilege of learning from the best of the best. Who did he have to look up to? Or was her vendetta just too serious and she was thinking to lowly of the Gryffindor Prefect team? Well, she supposed that depended on everything else. She had to factor in everything.