So, at the end of a review on chapter 45, magitech writes: "What should happen in canon was students being asked if they were interested in being prefect rather than the teachers just picking. What happens if the person chosen actually has a brain, realizes being Prefect isn't worth it and returns the badge? Since it comes with the Hogwarts letter if a student got it later, they know they are second choice." This review got me to thinking, you know, prefect isn't worth it, and I wouldn't want to be one if I were a Hogwarts student. However, I think there's a potentially better prefect system and this piece explores who I think would be best for the role of prefect and why.

It was 10 A.M. on the morning of Monday, July 24th, 2000, and Hogwarts Headmistress Minerva McGonagall was sitting at her desk in her office pondering who she should choose as the new Hogwarts prefects in advance of the Fall 2000 semester when she heard a knock on her door.

"Who is it?" asked McGonagall.

"Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt," said a deep soothing voice from the other side of the door.

McGonagall got up and let Shacklebolt in.

"Good morning, Minerva, " said Shacklebolt cheerfully, "May we talk?"

"But of course, " said McGonagall brightly, pulling out a second chair and pointing Shacklebolt to it.

"The timing of my arrival is not a coincidence," said Shacklebolt seriously, "Today would normally be the day you would choose the new Hogwarts prefects for the upcoming semester in advance of Hogwarts letters going out next week."

"So?" asked McGonagall, "Do you have specific students you wish to recommend for this year's prefects?"

"No," replied Shacklebolt, "I believe the prefect system should be revamped entirely. I believe a different prefect system would allow both for people who are better suited to the position to become prefects and people who would benefit more from becoming prefects to become prefects. I also feel like this updated prefect system would be beneficial to the students that the prefects are supposed to be helping."

"Fire, away, Kingsley," responded McGonagall encouragingly.

"To be blunt about it," said Shacklebolt clearly, "It's honestly asinine that students in two of the most important years of their academic careers, their O.W.L. year and their N.E.W.T. year have prefect duties. Like seriously, we always rightfully talk about how important O.W.L.S are for students, and then we saddle students in this busy year with extra responsibilities? That's insane! Students should be focused on their academics. I believe there is another group of people who would be better for the role of prefects."

"Who?" asked McGonagall simply.

"Eighteen to twenty year olds just out of Hogwarts, you know, recent graduates," answered Shacklebolt, "I think, for young adult witches and wizards who don't have their feet wet in the work world, especially those who want to become teachers or otherwise work at Hogwarts, being prefects at eighteen to twenty would be a great opportunity for them to have some responsibility without it interfering with their own education. At this age, they're a little older, a little more, though not fully, mature, and prefect responsibilities would be a wonderful opportunity for young adult witches and wizards to have some responsibility without having too much authority too young."

"Under this scenario, prefect would be a paid position then?" inquired McGonagall.

"Yes, " confirmed Shacklebolt, "Entry level wages to allow them to start building up their accounts at Gringotts. They wouldn't have any expenses in this scenario. They'd be living at Hogwarts, and they would be fed at Hogwarts just like students and staff so they wouldn't have food bills. And, because they are not students, they wouldn't have course books to pay for either. There is more than enough money in the Hogwarts budget for more employees. Dumbledore never spent as much on the school as he was supposed to."

"You know," said McGonagall thoughtfully, "Eighteen to twenty year olds would also make better prefects than fifteen to seventeen year olds. They've gone through their entire careers as Hogwarts students and know the ins and outs of the grounds and castle better. They'd be better at prefect tasks like showing first year students where to go and such. And not being peers of the students at Hogwarts, they are not going to have conflicts of interest such as letting friends off the hook when disciplining them is necessary or unfairly targeting enemies. "

"True," agreed Shacklebolt, "And, without classes to attend and homework to complete, they'd be able to devote all of their time and energy into their prefect duties, leading to them doing a better job and being more helpful, both to the students and in general."

"So, when should this change in prefect system be implemented?" asked McGonagall.

"Immediately, " responded Shacklebolt a minute and a nanosecond later, "I can put out ads in the classified section of the Daily Prophet for this position."

"You know," said McGonagall thoughtfully, "It will also benefit Hogwarts to have employees who are dedicated to the school be our employees from such a young age."

"Exactly, " said Shacklebolt seriously, "There will be an article in the Daily Prophet tomorrow about this change in prefect system and the first ads for the position will appear in the classified section."

McGonagall nodded.

This change to the prefect system was for the best all around.

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