Short form:

Things happened. I helped win my first immunity challenge.

We decided on Angelina for the tribe.

This will be filled in all pretty like when I get the chance tomorrow.




Not only was Lily not petrified as Cormac was hoping, not realizing how many people might have noticed the clues and how utterly impossible it seemed to be to become the heir twice in a row. To his disappointment but not an outright shock, it was Cormac himself who was petrified for the round. Cormac lay his wizarding hat down in defeat and felt the color drain from his face as he awaited the rest of his tribe's decision.

As luck would have it, Cormac survived. Unfortunately, a sacrifice had to be made and to his surprise yet again, Cormac found that it was not Lily who would be leaving, but Rita Skeeter, his longtime companion whom he had been able to share every aspect of his game with, including becoming the Heir of Slytherin the previous round. It was Lockhart who had made the final decision and Lily coming to the tribe with one extra vote that gave them the advantage in the end to make a move against the famous Daily Prophet reporter. Cormac was heartbroken, but his fury was hidden behind his passion to not let an unfortunate incident get in the way of his ultimate goal. Cormac was going to win or go out with his head held high.

Cormac approached Lockhart calmly and collectively to tell him he was not even mad because Lockhart had chosen to spare him. In truth, Cormac was grateful, if not a little bemused by the kind act. Lockhart explained how Rita seemed to only want to get information from Lockhart and had even gone so far as to throw Cormac under the bus as a possible vote off. Lockhart told Cormac that the way he had opened up left Lockhart feeling a true bond between them. Cormac was touched but could not keep the feeling down that Lockhart was trying to soften him up, and it was working.

Ron, however, was not to be softened up and would not forgive Lockhart so easily. When Newt joined the tribe, Cormac knew the only way to survive another tribal council would be to cozy up to Lockhart as much as he could and avoid being a target. Newt and Lily ended up being much harder to talk too than Cormac would have believed possible. Cormac leaned against Ron and knew the two of them might be in trouble but he was not about to leave the ginger's side. Despite their previous quarreling past concerning Co-Host Hermione Granger, the two had bonded over their mutual devastation at having lost Rita to Lockhart's paranoia.

There was nothing for it. They would have to win the upcoming challenge. To their complete chagrin, it was Lockhart who chose the tests each member of the tribe would take and it was to Cormac's relief that if he could not get Harry Potter Trivia that he at least felt competent enough to finish the Movies/TV trivia. How very wrong Cormac was. He initially had the first question wrong and took far too long to change his answer before submitting it for a grade. His former tribemate turned rival, Pompfrey, slaughtered him in her time, but it was to Cormac's instant relief that Dudley, who had submitted very early as well, was incorrect on one of the questions. Cormac was able to scrape second place and the rest of his tribe took first and second and gave Rectusempra its first real victory of the game.

Cormac could breathe again for the first time in a very long while. He was not going to tribal council, he would not risk being voted out, and he even bonded a little with Lily Potter and Newt Scamander before the round was out. As with past rounds, Cormac listed his tribemates and how well he had communicated with them thus far based on O.W.L. grades: (O)utstanding, (E)xceeds Expections, (A)cceptable, (P)oor, (D)readful, (T)roll.

1. Gilderoy Lockhart - E
2. Lily Potter - A
3. Newt Scamander - A
4. Ronald Weasley - O

Unfortunately, their tiny tribe would not last another round, and Cormac would find himself in a precarious position going forward. Only his social skills might save him in the coming days and the hopefulness of a challenge win.

Tada, I'm sorry for sucking lately. Getting into the groove of class completing and spontaneous trip taking stuff.