Seven Reasons why James Potter Should Not Be Head-Boy

Written by Lily, Alice, Mary and Marlene

Foreword(s):

I, Lily, have just witnessed the most unbelievable and quite concerning predicament. As the newly appointed Head Girl, I have much to be concerned about, for the newly appointed Head Boy is none other than the arrogant annoyance, James Potter. I do not understand how he managed to achieve this high-ranking position, methinks he needs to stick with Quidditch. Highly qualified jock sits better on him than highly qualified Head Boy.

I, Alice, completely agree with you, and suggest you take it up with Dumbledore when you arrive at the school. There has to be some sort of mistake.

I, Mary, would like to add that although James is an insufferable git, he is quite the smart cookie when he wants to be – maybe it was all based on marks.

I, Marlene, think you all underestimate James' abilities. Although I do wonder why Dumbledore chose the combination of James and you, Lily, surely he knows you two don't get along?

I, Lily, appreciate my dearest friends input and would like to point out that Marlene is slightly biased about her Quidditch captain, but one can overlook that slight flaw.

Without further ado, let the list commence.

Reason #1:Arrogant Toe-rag

Definition: Making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud

James has always been assumed to be more important the average person. Not only by himself, but also by others, which by a far means is quite saddening. James is like any other person, in fact he could be quite normal. However, James is far from acting normal, he is overbearing and rubs his successes and popularity in other people's faces to try and put them in their place.

He does this by bullying – particularly those he doesn't like, for example Severus has always been his main target for his pranks and jokes. This can be demeaning and can have a negative affect, even if James doesn't mean to cause these effects which shows his ignorance.

This arrogance draws attention, it could mean that James has some sort of issues that he deals with by making himself a success. It could just mean that he has a personality disorder – or it is the showings of how he was brought up which is most likely seeing he was an only child in a very well-off family.

Reason #2: Self-Centred Jerk

Definition: Devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.

This goes hand-in-hand with Reason #1 although I will admit, James is not purely selfish. He does, however, always makes sure he's the focus. Not only in his own life, but he will try and make himself important to everyone else.

A fine example is his close friends. I do not doubt that he cares for every single one of them, but in that group there seems to be an unspoken rule that he is in fact the leader of the pack – so to speak. Remus has testified that Potter doesn't make them do what they don't want to do, but for some reason still agree, even though they know it will all end badly.

Potter cons peoples quite easily, including teachers! I won't deny that he has a way with words – and that smile… Some might call it charm, and it gets everything to work for him.

Reason #3: Small Attention Span

Definition: The interval during which an individual can concentrate, as on a single object, idea, or activity.

James has the most atrocious concentration ability, with the small exceptions of Quidditch, pranking and Lily Evans. Several times in Potions last year there were severe accidents due to the fact he was suddenly distracted. Not that he wasn't able to make the potions – but simply was distracted.

Shiny things, particularly Lily's glaring eyes, are his downfall. His Quidditch training has taught him to chase shiny things and not worry about what's going on about him, which is not helpful, particularly for someone who has to attend and focus at studious and non-shiny things.

Reason #4: The Notorious Sirius Black

Definition: Publicly or generally known, as for a particular trait

Sirius Black is equal with James Potter in Reason #1 and is insufferably annoying, even more so than Potter. They both work in sync together, James works for the gain and Sirius will take advantage of the gain. In the case that I am currently concerned about is Black utilising Potter's position to get away with just about anything. And trust me – Potter will let him!

I have broken rules myself, and perhaps done things I shouldn't have, but I have never bribed or used another person's position for my gain. Unfortunately, Black is very clever and sneaky at what he does.

Reason #5: Irresponsible and Unknowledgeable

Definition: Not capable of or qualified for responsibility

I'm not going to say that Potter is "dumb" in fact he's far from it. If purely getting a high mark means Headship, then I wouldn't have been at all surprised that he has got it. No, our dear James has brains, but he would not know 'sensible,' even if it smacked him in the face.

Head Boy is meant to be a role-model and considering Reasons #1-3 things are looking downhill already. Not everyone is perfect, I'll admit, but seeing as he's topping the detention charts I doubt that he'd be the one to set a good example.

I also doubt James knows the rules at all. Most of them are common sense, but when has James done anything common? He thinks he's King of the hill, and this whole thing isn't going to help him. Bright side is when he comes out the other end looking stupid.

Reason #6: Quidditch Captain of Gryffindor

Definition: A person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader.

This, you may think, be a 'pro' rather than a 'con' for his Headship. You'd be wrong. James debuted as a Chaser in his second year, fresh from Quidditch Summer School (which is a very hoity-toity school for snooty spoiled snob kids with parents who have lots of money and more brawn than brains), and worked his way up in the order, playing Seeker for the first time mid-third year after Jemima Wood suffered concussion in a charms class the day before (we suspect Slytherin tampering) and continued as the Seeker (Jemima went to playing Keeper) and then became Captain for his Fifth year, and subsequently has been ever since.

This year is no different. He is still the best player on the team, and still is Captain. I feel that training will crash big time with duty. Not to mention he has to do his schooling and then some time in there for sleeping. Potter is not the most organised person in the world, and even if he was I still don't think he would be able to cope all that will be thrown his way.

Reason #7: The Unfortunate Obsession

Definition: The domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.

This is probably the main reason, perhaps it affects my opinion of him in the other fields, and perhaps maybe I underestimate him in a way. But I do not underestimate this issue, and this issue has plagued me since third year, I know its severity and I know the consequences.

James Potter fancies me (Lily Evans).

That, one might seem is a normal thing. James Potter is far from normal, and this has gone beyond a little high school crush. It's an obsession for him, to have me, and it drives me nuts, it's cost me friendships and relationships I could have had with other boys.

That being said, in the meet I had with Potter a short while ago, he has apologised for his behaviour towards me, and although he still fancies me, will not excessively bother me about it. I have decided to forgive him, but that doesn't mean I will forget what he's done and will be cautious of this 'fresh start' that he's proposed.

A/N: TLF's back and in business bby! ;) Review and I'll give you cookies and another plot update.