How did James Potter become head boy but he was not a prefect?

Answer 1

Technically, you don't have to have been head boy if you weren't a prefect, you just have a better chance of being head boy if you were a prefect!

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Asker's response: But wouldn't making James head boy be even worse then making Fred or George head boy?

Answer 2

Not everybody becomes prefect, only two people from every house and every year. Harry didn't become a prefect, because Dumbledore thought he had a little too much on his plate. It's beyond me why Ron got to be a prefect instead of Neville, seeing as Neville's like a strict rules guy like Percy. But, honestly, with Harry having to learn to defeat the Dark Lord, it's really hard for him to be a prefect too.

I THINK RON WAS GOING TO MAKE A GREAT PREFECT. SOMEONE WHO ISN'T ALWAYS STRICT OR A JERK IS GOOD TO HAVE AS AN AUTHORITY FIGURE.

Ron didn't actaully do anything as a prefect, it was always Hermione.

Answer 3

During James Potter's time at Hogwarts, he was quite a trouble maker despite being quite a gifted wizard. This is one of the reasons why he wasn't appointed as a prefect because he wouldn't have been a good example to younger students. During his final years though he turned himself around and began becoming a very respectable student. He stopped performing tricks and hexes on students and began to date Lily Evans at that time also. He had improved so much that he was even appointed as Head Boy despite not being appointed a prefect during his fifth year.