[a/n-2]My Diary of Time got an unsigned rant-review on the Subject-That-Never-Dies. 6 words: Susan Bones attends Harry's Potions class! Got more Horcruxes than Voldemort.

[a/n-1]I'm going to retrodedicate last chapter [#59] to Fallow59, for obvious reasons.

[a/n0]Vukk's note mentions AIDs taking years to kill. I don't know what JKR's take on it might be: Likely because of the greater lifespan, magicals would be less vulnerable to it. But that doesn't mean one couldn't be a carrier. Normal rules to Voldemort's mishmash body, I'd say, don't apply.

[a/n]Delay in returning to CruciLoo due to a different prompt. Mc suggested … McGonagall gives Harry the prefect badge against Dumbledore's wishes

Harry Does Different CDLXXXIVc

Prefect Potter

"And you, Minerva? Who are your prefect candidates for the coming year?" the Headmaster came to his final House Head, speaking complacently.

Nodding to her peers, the stern Deputy replied "While I certainly do not lack for eminently qualified choices this year, two are overwhelming. The only girl is Miss Granger, while Mr. Potter has - -"

"Favoritism? Potter has no need of greater swelled-head." Snape sneered "And Granger? The pair combined would be problematic when it comes to members of Slytherin."

She stiffened "I do not, Severus, make my choices based on the possibility of offending children. Although, if you feel you cannot control your House then perhaps we should reevaluate YOUR conduct."

"How dare you!" he growled.

Very mildly, Albus interjected "I should think, Minerva, that Harry has enough do be about this coming year. While I would have a difficult time suggesting an alternative to Miss Granger, young Ronald's family certainly has sufficient history with student government to justify his appointment to the role."

"I shall consider the matter." Minerva looked from wizard to wizard sourly "But I am sure we all agree the final judgment is mine and mine alone."

Pomona offered "I personally would not think otherwise." And the meeting was adjourned.

abcij

"A word with you, Professor?" requested Harry, as he walked into McGonagall's office and pushed the door shut.

Expression only flickering at the subject of the recent annoyance, the Head of Gryffindor nodded "But of course, Mr. Potter. Though I would like to remind you that the carriages are already approaching. Are you packed?"

"Actually, I was ready yesterday." He answered easily "And on the way down, I used a trick Remus taught me to help four or five others who waited until five minutes ago to start packing. Hedwig took off an hour ago. Wanted to fly back, instead of that cage of hers."

She nodded "Then by all means, proceed."

"Ma'am, if you haven't selected prefects yet for next year, I'd like to submit my name." said Harry, with just a hint of nerves.

Her eyebrow moved up fractionally. She wouldn't mention the staff meeting on that very matter to the student, so said "I see. Two questions: Why? And; Qualifications?"

"The answer to both questions is sort of the same." He said after a moment's thought "Comes down to being who I am. I've been the center of attention since I started. Something I never was, at least never any good. And I'd like to prove I can do something more."

She countered "Despite your penchant for trouble? And a tendency towards rule-breaking?"

"I don't look for it. Trouble finds me." He complained, then pointed out "And as Professor Dumbledore once put it, we broke so many rules he'll have to give us Special Awards for Services to the School. Also, while none of us do it alone, when was the last time …before I started… Gryffindor won the House Cup?"

McGonagall maintained a neutral expression asking "Why should I not select one of your dormmates?"

"I know my grades aren't number one in every course." Harry admitted "Bem, I know least of all. Neville's great but, he's similar, kind of an unknown. Nice guy don't get me wrong and certainly outscored me in Potions and Herbology. You wouldn't consider Dean or Seamus if what they say about their grades is right."

She forced a display of displeasure "I do not comment on the scholastic performance of others with students."

"Yes, Professor." Acknowledged Harry, there was a time he would have been intimidated, but he'd just scored a draw with the Dark Lord. "But we do. And, while Dean's an excellent artist, I don't think he'd be taken seriously. Other than the ability to blow things up, Seamus isn't too skilled with a wand."

Again no expression, she pressed "Opinion noted. Thoughts on Mr. Weasley?"

"Ron's great, don't get me wrong." Harry began with a positive "But he's got one fatal flaw. Slytherin."

That was perceptive, but not something she had missed "Your relationship with that House has hardly been warm."

"Ron would have problems dealing with Malfoy." Harry pointed out.

Sternly, she demanded "What makes you think Mr. Malfoy will be a prefect? And should I be concerned with you in the matter?"

"Everybody knows it's him." He replied with a hint of embarrassment "We're not sure if the girl will be Parkinson or Greengrass. I could get along with one. Ron couldn't, or rather wouldn't."

McGonagall gave a sour grin "A succinct, and no doubt, accurate assessment. And what does the annual pool say about the likely Gryffindor girl?"

"Nobody will bet against Hermione." There wasn't a point in denying the existence of the gambling ring.

Leaning back in her seat, she nodded at the student "This has been a most educational meeting, Mr. Potter. I do not believe I need further deliberations, or to keep you in suspense, congratulations on being the Fifth Year boys' prefect."

"Thank you Professor." Harry coolly shook the proffered hand and left.

Abcij

At Grimmauld Place a month later, the annual ritual began with Mrs. Weasley announcing "Owls here children! Let's see what Hogwarts has to say! Fred, dear. Ginny. Hermione yours…"

"Eeep!" the young witch squealed as a weight thumped on the table "I'm a prefect!"

To which, George snorted "Oh please. We couldn't even give odds to get anyone to bet against you."

"What? You bet on me!?" she was outraged.

Harry sidetracked her with a congratulatory embrace "Way to go!"

"Thanks Harry." She blushed. "Open yours. How did you do?"

The center of attention picked his envelope off the long table. Though he'd been told by his Head of House, he grinned at the weight of it and glanced at the former teacher "I got something might look familiar to you, Remus."

"Well done Harry!" Remus clapped him on the shoulder.

Sirius was smirking "Well, no doubt Lily would approve. But James, not so much. Well not before McG pushed him for Head Boy." He gave a pleased nod.

"Kinda funny" observed Harry with a grin "so Dad had to be talked into the position? I talked her into it. Pointed out I could be a counter to Malfoy, but be fair to the Slytherins."

Ron's whole demeanor had turned sullen the instant the badge he thought assured of appeared in …well, Not his envelope… The redhaired Fifth Year lashed out "Stole MY job there, mate!"

"What're you blabbering about?!" Harry went from celebrating to fury in a flash.

Ron slapped the dining room table, shaking dinnerware "You know bloody well! I'm supposed to be Prefect. Then Head Boy. You've known that since the Erised mirror!"

"That was four years ago." Harry gave a snort "Been busy since then. Ancient history. But let's talk about back then; Susan Bones has been your Potions partner all this time. What do you know about her?"

The redhead's anger momentarily vanished "Huh? What?" And the rest of the table looked confused at the seeming nonsequitor.

"I learned more about her just the other day than in all this time." Countered the green-eyed teen "Her aunt is your Dad's boss, for one. Anyway, I do remember what you told me over and over: Not a witch or wizard who went bad wasn't in Slytherin. Could you even work with Nott if he was their Prefect?"

Ron's chin went up. Both boys were ignoring their audience "And I'm right! Malfoy! Parkinson! Snape! You-Know-Who! Nott's just another slimy snake."

"I wouldn't know." Harry fired back "Never gave him a chance. But I know one Gryffindor who DID betray my parents AND two others we thought did last year. No offense Sirius, Remus. And all that's beside the point! Best reason of all she probably picked me? You might wonder? Right before the Express left Hogwarts I went to her office and asked. Guess it worked."

Ron snarled "Traitor!" and went for his wand.

"Petrificus Totalis!" Harry was quite a bit faster "You forget I matched Voldemort, for a bit. No one pulls a wand on me."

Mrs. Weasley was outraged "Stop it! The both of you! Get to your rooms! And you are grounded!"

"You're not Harry's mother, Molly." Sirius had stayed back while it was just the boys, but intervened now "So, we'll do this. I remind you they are currently sharing a room. That is problematic. Kreacher! Lousy wretch! There you are. Now, there are plenty of rooms in this house. You will go to the boys' room; move all of master Harry's belongings. Without damaging anything! To one of the other rooms. That room is to be clean or you are to clean it for proper human living. Any questions?"

The ancient house elf grumbled "Blood traitor master's orders will be obeyed."

"I wish you would be nicer to him." Hermione complained.

After sparing the witch a glance, Sirius flicked his chin and commanded "Off with you." He then returned to Mrs. Weasley "You will, of course, handle Ron as you wish. And that is not my affair. I will discuss this incident with Harry in private, in the library. He is my godson after all." After concluding, ignoring the Weasleys' looks, led the boy out.

Abcij

"A couple of observations, Minerva." The Headmaster leaned over to his Deputy as the last First Year was Sorted "I note Misters Potter and Weasley sitting just about as far as possible as it is and be at the same table."

The Head of Gryffindor shrugged indifferently "I do not involve myself in the personal affairs of students. As long, naturally, such conflicts do not enter the classroom." She wasn't very surprised by what came next, just disappointed.

"I note the glint of gold on young Harry's cloak." The Headmaster spoke in a saddened grandfatherly tone "It was my understanding we agreed not to overwhelm the lad with excessive burdens. I was additionally reluctant to raise his visibility in light of our Defense teacher."

After peering down the table to the pink-clad new hire that did not impress, Minerva turned back "That is as may be. But Potter came to me at the end of year, asking for the position. Frankly I was inclined to appoint him regardless. Though I would have had a difficult time arguing the points he made."

"Were I to …ahh, recommend, strongly… you rescind that- -" he began

She cut him off stonily "In that case …Headmaster… you would find yourself in need of a new Deputy. New Head of Gryffindor. New Transfiguration Professor. And, since you spend so much time in London Jerusalem or Mexico, someone to do much of the day-to-day work of running the school."

"A mere passing thought, Minerva, that is all." Said Dumbledore with a barely perceptible quaver in his voice "We'll speak no more of the matter."

End[a/n]I don't often do the jealous Ron trope, so I did this time. Snuck Susan in too, just for fun.