i was reading the fifth book again, and i noticed that it said lupin was prefect, not james. didn't hagrid tell harry that lily and james were great wizards-head boy and girl in there day? or something like that in the first book
how could james be head boy if he was never prefect-plus they talked about him being a trouble maker and such-surely he wouldn't have been made head boy!

~Athena~

aparently, you don't have to be a prefect to be head boy. he probably turned down the trouble making by his sixth year because of everything that was going on with voldie and his family, and he probably started showing his leadership skills and stuff. this is all speculation of course, but i think it would be the most likely answer. i don't know how head boy and girl are selected, but i would assume the decision would be up to the headmaster.

Sirius said that after 5th year James grew up a bit because remember Lily used to hate him and they ended up married.

~GwP~