Since its founding, Hogwarts has appointed members of its student body to act as authority figures over the rest of their sorted House. Given the title “Prefects,” said students are granted responsibilities such as nightly patrolling of the corridors, managing student-oriented events, and motivating their classmates to follow rules and earn points for their House. They are permitted to give and remove points in strictly monitored amounts (no more than 25 in either direction), voice their opinions to Hogwarts staff on behalf of their Housemates, and oversee the care of their Common Rooms.
It is not an easy job. It requires a certain disposition - a giving spirit, a thirst for justice and fairness, charisma and the aptitude to govern peers, for example - and requires a lot of effort from those chosen. Prefects must have a level head to remain efficient during crisis or tend to discipline impartially. The assignments and responsibilities are many, and the benefits are few. Only the best are chosen, and only the best serve their school by bearing the Prefect Badge.
