The night of the Survivor Enchanted: Chamber of Secrets finale had finally arrived. Cormac stood in the entrance hall awaiting his name to be called announcing his station as jury member number seven. He could see plainly into the great hall as Amos Diggory's name filled the air. Sitting at the head table in high back chairs as if they were thrones built for royalty was the youngest fiery headed Weasley boy, the bleach blonde Malfoy boy, and... a fish in a bowl full of water.

Lily Potter moved forward. Cormac knew his time was next, and he was still unsure exactly what he might say. He decided to practice his speech under his breath... "Good evening, final three... Hello, congratulations... Sup, grats or whatev-"

"CORMAC MCLAGGEN!"

"Shit."

Cormac approached the head table and looked each of the finalists in the eye(s) with purpose.

"Finalists, good morning, afternoon, evening, night. Congratulations, the three of you did what none of us standing before you were able to do, you made it to the finale. You all came to be in these three coveted spots in very different ways and should be proud of your achievements, mostly.

Draco, I want you to really take in what I am about to say. I want you to really listen because you are a wonderful, kind, independent, beautiful person. Your social game was at least a step or two above mine, you won Wizard Chess and you took shit from no one. I was incredibly touched that you stuck with me at the final six despite knowing how the vote was going to go. I never expected it and I love you within the context of this game. Listen, you are not a goat. You have every chance of earning my vote and I expect nothing but your best efforts.

Mirabella, my queen, I bend the knee. That's right, I just changed fandoms for you. Your opening statement gave me simultaneous life and death. It was refreshing, shocking and everything an opening statement should be. My one big regret was not taking a shot at you in the final six when I so clearly could have done so. There is only a single word fitting how I feel about you right now: Respect.

Ron. I had a lot of misplaced trust and respect in you. Unfortunately, you did exactly what I predicted you would do. When I did not immediately let you in on the alliance chat (Crippling Depression SHOUT OUT) you eventually took me out, that would have been the best reason to take me out and I would have respected it. The reason you gave me was incredibly weak. The reason you believe in your answers is undeniably weak. I know you could not possibly believe I wanted to be in the final three with Fred (no offense Fredrick, ily) or that me/Draco/Fred was ever going to team up and take the rest of this game by storm. That is delusional after I pitched me/you/Draco round after round, time after time. So I want the real reason and I'm sure if you search deep down you'll find there's a better one.

And I swear to Wizard God if any of you calls me or anyone else a goat in any of your further answers you can kiss any chance at my vote goodbye. Show some respect. The only animalistic contestant in this game is the one sitting in the fishbowl.

For all three of you, I would like you to grade how you believe your social relationships are with each of the jury members going into this final tribal council using the O.W.L. grading rubric: (O)utstanding, (E)xceeds Expectations, (A)cceptable, (P)oor, (D)readful, (T)roll. Please, give an extremely brief explanation for each grade you give yourself.

1. Amos Diggory
2. Angelina Johnson
3. Cormac McLaggen
4. Fred Weasley
5. Gilderoy Lockhart
6. Lily Potter
7. Madame Maxime
8. Madame "Poppy" Pomfrey
9. Newt Scamander

I did this for nine rounds, you can do it for one.

Good luck to all three of you."

Cormac turned and went to stand by Lily as Fred Weasley was called forward.

I'd like to be graded on the N.E.W.T. scale, not O.W.L. please.

~*Ron’s Answer to Cormac Part #2*~

For all three of you, I would like you to grade how you believe your social relationships are with each of the jury members going into this final tribal council using the O.W.L. grading rubric: (O)utstanding, (E)xceeds Expectations, (A)cceptable, (P)oor, (D)readful, (T)roll. Please, give an extremely brief explanation for each grade you give yourself.



This second question is very interesting for me. I say this because I am sitting here proud of my social game. I am proud of the way I was able to socially maneuver myself in and out of relationships to feel as in-control as I could that I was not going home. So, initially, the somewhat cocky side of that wants to give a lot of people O’s for my social game. However, I am looking at this deeper then just saying I was social with this person as much as I could be: 10/10. I am breaking this up and looking at the relationship part of social relationship. This makes me analyze how everyone has reacted to me sitting in the finals. I have felt under fire since the moment Mirabella used a funny gif that I sent to her against me in her opening statement. I have noticed that my perception of a strong social game may not be how they take our actual relationship currently. Regardless of what they thought of me in-game. Many have a changed perception outside of the game, and therefore my view of the relationship I had with them has changed.

1. Amos Diggory: P; As much as I want to pride myself on the fact that I socialized well with him in the merge phase after voting him pre-merge, I did give him false hope many times in the game. I was trying to act, slightly, like I could potentially work with him again. I was doing that to keep him from targeting me and potentially coming to me with ideas which never really happened. I just feel like Amos may have left this game with a sour taste when he thinks back to our conversations. I loved speaking to him socially and hate that it may have turned into that, but likely see him feeling this way.
2. Angelina Johnson: D; Ultimately, I see her around the board. I see that she felt as though I was slimy and untrustworthy. I worked hard on giving her items and bonding with her socially to get the vote off me. She has not felt a bond at all with me it seems through this. This does shock me. I feel like she may have been hurt by her blindside, and my lack of loyalty to Lily—someone who seemed to have her trust.
3. Cormac McLaggen: D; I feel the same here with you. I didn’t realize to the degree that our relationship has fell coming into the final tribal council. After reading your opening statement, I understand the damage in more detail. I gave you complete hope with regards to the Final 6. I lied to you, our relationship has fell very close to that T status in my eyes.
4. Fred Weasley: A; I pondered with making this higher. However, the last round of game was very odd with Fred. He didn’t seem the same to me that he did earlier in the game. It was like he was detached from everything. I was confused with this and am unsure of how he is feeling about everything after his boot. I am in hopes that he still respects the game I played with him and was not hurt.
5. Gilderoy Lockhart: P; I know others may view this differently. But I view his boot to be my fault due to the initiative I made with Mira/Maxime. Due to this, I could see him feeling as though our relationship was never truthful or honest. As much as I had fun with him on a 1:1 and thought we were laughing together. It seems maybe I was sadly mistaken.
6. Lily Potter: P; Although I told her about her elimination in regards to her leaving, I lied to her. I gave her false hope of us working together even though I voted her twice. I could see her being hurt by this right now.
7. Madame Maxime; T She has no reason to want a relationship with me. I lied to her and voted her out, right after she took out Lockhart for me. I loved chatting with her but am not expecting that love in return after my actions.
8. Madame "Poppy" Pomfrey; E I think Pomfrey is maybe the only one, unfortunately, that seems to have understood me. By that I mean the 'bitching is bonding', I feel like she was at my level of humor and fun that seem to not be well liked. I am in hope that she does not feel betrayed, however, with me thinking about a Cormac/Draco F3 or having a F3 also with Mira/Draco, therefore I could not give her an O.
9. Newt Scamander; P I had a hard time trusting him after Rita left. I was unsure of how much he knew about the vote or was a part of it (I had this whole speculation of Lockhart/Lily/Newt being together). I know I told, you, Cormac about this. I feel like he did listen to me, and we did have chats—our relationship wasn’t terrible, but it needed more improvement if he stayed in the game past Final 12.



Thanks,

A P? Ronald you idiot, I was expecting an E. You forgot to take nothing I do or say seriously :(

First of all, I chortled out loud when I read your question preamble for the first time. I love that you clearly had fun writing this jury speech.

Cormac McLaggen @ 16/3/2018 2:58

Mirabella, my queen, I bend the knee. That's right, I just changed fandoms for you. Your opening statement gave me simultaneous life and death. It was refreshing, shocking and everything an opening statement should be. My one big regret was not taking a shot at you in the final six when I so clearly could have done so. There is only a single word fitting how I feel about you right now: Respect.

Thank you! My gills are turning pink from blushing!

I saw firsthand how impressive you were at scrambling in that F6 round, so it means a lot to me that you have respect for my own scrambly ways. I've said it before, but I'm sad we didn't get a chance to be on a tribe until merge when we were already pretty locked into different sides of the votes. I think we would have gotten along well if we started off together.

Cormac McLaggen @ 16/3/2018 2:58

For all three of you, I would like you to grade how you believe your social relationships are with each of the jury members going into this final tribal council using the O.W.L. grading rubric: (O)utstanding, (E)xceeds Expectations, (A)cceptable, (P)oor, (D)readful, (T)roll. Please, give an extremely brief explanation for each grade you give yourself.

I'm gonna try to make all of these brief.

1. Amos Diggory: T(roll)

Troll marks are reserved for failures "with distinction." Amos and I had some good conversations early but none in the last four rounds he was in the game, which is a pretty spectacular fail. After the snape vote it was clear we were on opposite sides of things and the conversations just faded away in all the busyness of merge. When I realized I hadn't talked in a few rounds, I used that fact as I pitched long-term plans to Fred/Pomfrey/Ron as an indicator that they could trust me not to flip on them (you don't have to worry about me trying to save amos - we don't even talk!). At one point Ron was openly joking in the alliance chat that Amos would have no reason to vote for me at FTC, so I think not talking to him also reduced my jury threat status and I was really worried about that after the Angelina vote. None of that is to excuse the fact that I stopped talking to him, but hopefully it shows that I had reasons to distance myself from him and wasn't just being lazy.


2. Angelina Johnson: (A)cceptable

We had some fantastic conversations on our original tribe and could have formed a stronger social bond with time, but getting swapped apart did some damage. Even on opposite sides of the merge vote, we still talked at merge. Then there were some awkward votes where we knew we weren't aligned and about a round and a half where Maxime wanted to act as a go-between between us and our direct conversations quieted down. It wasn't a super close relationship by the end, but we both respected each other's games and were competitive but not vindictive. I don't think there's any reason for us to have hard feelings with each other.


3. Cormac McLaggen: (P)oor

I considered a (D) here but I don't think we ever had a bad conversation. It was always difficult for us to chat because we didn't want to look disloyal to our alliances after merge and weren't on a tribe together before but we both had respect for each other and we had a great conversation at the end of the F6 round when the vote had locked in where I think we both recognized that our communication was a lot worse than our feelings about each other. This P is for (P)oor, but also for unfulfilled (P)otential because things could have been a lot different.


4. Fred Weasley: (O)utstanding

It's been a long long time since I bonded as much in a game and looked forward to getting online to talk to someone in an ORG as much as I did for Fred here. We had so many shared interests and we understood each other on an almost uncanny level at time. Even though we got separated a couple of times we always found out ways to look out for each other because we genuinely got along and enjoyed each others' company. I really hope this turns into a lasting friendship after the game because getting to know him was absolutely one of the best parts of this game for me.


5. Gilderoy Lockhart: (E)xceeds Expectations

I think a lot of people expected that we would hate each other so "Exceeds Expectations" seems really fitting. All of our conversations were hilarious and both of had a motivation to make this game fun that we recognized in each other and respected regardless of what crazy strategies we tried. I was really glad that we got an opportunity to talk at the deadline when he got voted out about the importance of keeping things interesting.


6. Lily Potter: (P)oor

We were legitimately close on the original tribe and dynamics changed by the time merge got around that kept us apart. We didn't talk much strategy after that, but we still shared our Chris Pratt gifs and kept in touch from time to time. It wasn't a close trusted relationship for most of merge, but we weren't enemies either.


7. Madame Maxime: (E)xceeds Expectations

I love Maxime, we went through a lot together and she was my closest ally up until her boot round. We could strategize together in two different languages, and if that's not chemistry I don't know what it is (maybe linguistics). I can't put an O simply because our communication got messy near the end and I regret how the final moments of the round went when I officially found out maxime was the target minutes before the deadline and panicked to change my vote, not wanting to be the only one voting in the minority.


8. Madame "Poppy" Pomfrey: (E)xceeds Expectations

This should maybe be an O- or an E+ if there were half-grades, because while didn't fully trust each other with strategy, Pomfrey and I's relationship was entirely based upon social game. We spent the first 6 rounds apart and were on different sides of the merge vote but I worked hard to develop a social relationship with her anyway and when an opportunity for us to work together emerged, we relied on our social relationship for the trust necessary to pull it off. It's difficult to build relationships based on check-ins, the hour between swaps and the crazyness of a merge round so the fact that we were close by end-game was a real testament to both of our social games.


9. Newt Scamander: (A)cceptable

I would feel bad giving Newt an (E)xceeds expectations just because everyone expected us to be a very tight pair. In reality we had a positive and functional relationship that had not yet reached the level of a devout friendship. With a little more time, I think it would have gotten to that level, especially with us sharing a similar sense of humor.



Thanks for this question! It was good to reflect on the relationships that got me to where I am today and this got me really excited for the chance to talk to everyone again at reunion :)






10. Hagrid: (O)utstanding.
I proposed to Hagrid before tribes were even made and he said yes so I bought my wedding gown. All of you are invited to our Vegas wedding after this.

Draco, I want you to really take in what I am about to say. I want you to really listen because you are a wonderful, kind, independent, beautiful person. Your social game was at least a step or two above mine, you won Wizard Chess and you took shit from no one. I was incredibly touched that you stuck with me at the final six despite knowing how the vote was going to go. I never expected it and I love you within the context of this game. Listen, you are not a goat. You have every chance of earning my vote and I expect nothing but your best efforts.


Wow man, I wish I could translate through words how much you've made me smile reading this. I loved that introduction too, I still haven't read that paper crane piece yet, but I can tell I should after that! (We should brainstorm a screenplay for Quidditch Through the Ages) But the decision to vote with you was easy, I made my word to you and I really meant it. I still wish that Pomfrey and/or Ron voted for Mira or Fred with us, but in the end I'm incredibly happy to be here!

For all three of you, I would like you to grade how you believe your social relationships are with each of the jury members going into this final tribal council using the O.W.L. grading rubric: (O)utstanding, (E)xceeds Expectations, (A)cceptable, (P)oor, (D)readful, (T)roll. Please, give an extremely brief explanation for each grade you give yourself.

1. Amos Diggory: (T)roll, because overall its got to be pretty bad. Although I almost gave it a (D)readful and I think Amos would almost agree that it would be, or could be. Amos and I didn't click right away... or at all, but after awhile it was too expected and well known that I had voted him so many times it got less awkward. We had a great talk about jams and differences in flavor, seeds, and types of jelly, jam and preserves. But that's about our best conversation. In the end of the day though, I gained a lot of respect for Amos. He put up with me round after round and I think it was fine, we knew we weren't going to work together so we didn't have an urge to talk much.

2. Angelina Johnson: (A)cceptable, I personally think Angelina and I did click. I think everyone did with her in the grand scheme of things, so I was set back with her priorities despite it. I don't know, we shared information and expressed intent to work together and move forward but I don't think I left as big of an impression on her as she did on me, but I didn't even vote for her. I think it was another missed opportunity but I also think we had a good relationship.

3. Cormac McLaggen: (A)cceptable, while I want to say NOW I'm at a full (O)ustanding, because I think that F7/F8 when we started to get real, we wouldn't have to talk long amounts of time or in depth, it was a very simple respect that I think drives society (and you and I) together! So going INTO this, O, but during the game I think it was an A, we made up immediately after but you did vote for me, so it would be premature and almost too amazing to say our relationship was perfect.

4. Fred Weasley: Fred and I had quite a journey, we went from RictumSempra... to that other tribe with Dudley, and then were separated and then merged... Fred was my#1, we had alliances with Mira/Maxime which I thought was going to be incredibly prosperous and Fred was my go to guy the entire time, I had something wacky to say, a fun topic, video games, you name it (even if he is always doing homework!) Fred was my #1, we were for sure at an (O)utstanding, but after the second swap and going into merge, we talked but I was hurt about a lot of the nonsense of the first merge round... I didn't understand why I was left out and why he left me out too. I was seeing our mutual friends and allies start linking as well and misguided that as conversation without speaking, I was misinformed during the GL vote and voted for him and it shoved an awkward shiv into our gears. I feel really bad about it, but going into our FTC I'll say (A)cceptable. I think we can average that grade out to that if this is my final grade.

5. Gilderoy Lockhart: (E)xceeds Expectations, GL was so... different at first, he was in character and hard to talk to, but as soon as we hit the third tribe he was so funny, he was throwing himself into it so much more than GL now. But ultimately we really bonded and got along, I felt like this season was as if I was actually in Harry's shoes and when Ron and I went into the chamber of secrets, Lockhart would be there to do exactly what Lockhart did in the books! Obliviated himself.

6. Lily Potter: (P)oor, this is really tough to grade and I think its harder to do this now that you're all on the jury instead of playing. Lily and I weren't aligned and we knew we weren't going to be but every conversation I ever had with Lily was nothing but kindness (other than when I was talking about her rubbish son) we didn't talk in depth about things but it was really pleasant, I think it could average out to an (A)cceptable if the teacher was seeing in between the lines.

7. Madame Maxime: (E)xceeds Expectations, ya know, I'm sure she'll disagree because she told me otherwise when she was in the game!! She told me that I didn't talk to her enough, that was when I had to check myself because Maxime was one of 3 people I talked to the most!!! I loved Maxime and was ready to do all those moves we had planned that didn't work out or she didn't vote. Maxime, Mira, Fred and I were in that alliance so I thought we were going places, but we weren't. I still love it, we flirted more than we should have, I think that's what we did 90% of our convos. So she was my favorite showmance.

8. Madame "Poppy" Pomfrey: (E)xceeds Expectations, this was another one that was tough to grade. I don't think she feels the same way, I wanted to say (O)utstanding because that's what our relationship was to me. But I knew she had other options and I knew that my schedule didn't always link up with hers. She's by far one of my favorite people here though so I do want to ask my teacher if she'd exchange that letter grade of an O, but answering honestly, E.

9. Newt Scamander: (A)cceptable, I keep bumping my letters down!! Only because I'm worried I didn't leave that same impression. Newt and I were really cool with each other the entire way through, Newt was someone I wanted to play as and Draco is someone Newt wanted to play as. We expressed interest time after time in working with each other, were able to do that for the Snape vote and ultimately I was unaware of Newt's departure altogether so I really think our relationship could be higher, but I'm going to be humble and take the letter grade I gave.


I hope this and my other answers can shed some light on my game and the relationships I built and maintained. I was labeled with you, as one of the harder people to hold a conversation with. I understand I was spotty at times but I really think when I look at this jury I see no one other than a friend to some capacity.

You're an encouraging force for me though Cormac and I really appreciate that and hope to gain some more momentum after this, in the context of the game, I love you too Big C.