I promised that I was not lost and gone forever but would be back again someday. We resume with a chapter about Zacharias NOT being welcomed back into the fold.

That same night, Sally Anne Perks was approached by Zacharias Smith in the Hufflepuff Common Room.

"So," began Zacharias, "Ernie has informed me that the D.A. has been reformed this year but that I have not been welcomed back. He told me that you are now one of the leaders. I would like to be a part of the newly reformed D.A. and I am asking that you consider adding me to the newly reformed D.A. You weren't in the D.A. last time so you shouldn't have any reason not to want me."

"First of all," said Sally seriously, "I'm one of four leaders, not the only one. The leaders who WERE part of the D.A. last time have made it clear to me whenever we've talked about recruiting that under no circumstances am I to invite you or recruit you to the D.A. and that I should give you a firm and fierce no if you ask."

"I need to learn to defend myself," said Zacharias desperately.

"Actions have consequences," said Sally bluntly, "You were a prick to everyone in the D.A. last time with your rudeness, snarliness, and snobbishness. Not to mention that the other leaders are Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and Ginny Weasley. You were an asshole to Ginny last year by constantly badgering her with unwanted and unwelcome questions about the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, a very touchy and personal topic for her. Luna is her BFF and Neville is a decent friend of hers. Of course they don't want you. Karma's a bitch. People you mistreated are now leaders with a lot of voice. They are well within their rights to say no to you considering your past behavior."

"But" pleaded Zacharias desperately, "I really need to learn how to defend myself. I sense the war will hit its climax within this academic year. My life could be on the line if I don't learn to defend myself and Amycus is only teaching the Dark Arts, not Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"You could study and practice Defense Against the Dark Arts on your own," suggested Sally.

"I think I could greatly benefit by learning directly from the leaders of the newly reformed D.A.," said Zacharias in a businesslike voice. Could you talk to them and see if you can persuade them to reconsider me?"

"They will not be persuaded, and I am not stupid enough to attempt it," said Sally flatly, "I cannot pretend that Neville, Luna, and especially Ginny are not angry with you about your past behavior. You can't expect help from people after treating them like horse shit. Has Erine tried to vouch for you?"

"No," admitted Zacharias, "He says he has to respect the wishes and decisions of the leaders, though I don't think he opposes their decision."

"He hasn't vouched for you because he knows you don't deserve to be a part of the newly reformed D.A. after the way you treated your fellow members last time and even since then. And by the way, the Hufflepuffs haven't forgotten how insensitive you were towards Hannah when she returned to Hogwarts after her mom died. You deserved that punch Susan gave you," said Sally sternly.

"My life could be on the line," persisted Zacharias, "I've got to be able to defend myself."

The smart and attentive Sally had picked on how Zacharias was talking.

"I'm noticing," piped up Sally, "That you are NOT talking about being ready to defend Hogwarts of Hufflepuff or even talking about how "we" need to be able to defend "ourselves." It's only been me, I, and myself."

"So?" replied Zacharias uncertainly.

"You don't care about anyone, anything, or anywhere else expect Zacharias Smith," realized Sally.

"The most important thing about the war is that Zacharias Smith survives it," insisted Zacharias.

"And that's precisely why you shouldn't be in the newly reformed D.A." spat Sally, "You wouldn't stay loyal to us when it ultimately mattered if it wasn't' convenient for you."

"I'm not Marietta Edgecombe," insisted Zacharias, "I would never sell the newly reformed D.A. out."

"Only because you would be too cowardly to face the consequences of doing so," retorted Sally, "You would flee rather than fight to save your own skin when it came to it. We don't need people like that. We are looking for selfless people who will help us win the war by fighting for each other, their house, their school, and even the Wizarding World as a whole. Harry Potter once told friends that they had something Voldemort didn't have and that that something was something worth fighting for. That's how the members of the newly reformed D.A. view our group. We don't need a selfish coward who only cares about himself."

"Protecting myself first is the smart thing for me to do," said Zacharias in a hard voice.

"I have no idea how you became a Hufflepuff," snarled Sally, "You have no loyalty except to yourself. People like you are not welcome in the newly reformed D.A. This discussion is over."

And Sally just walked away from Zacharias and went to sit down in an armchair by the fire.

Sally was then approached by Ernie, Hannah, and Susan.

"Sally," said Hannah gratefully, "Thank you for saying no to Zacharias. Having him in the newly reformed D.A. would have been very uncomfortable."

"And unproductive," added Susan, "A lot of our success so far this year has come because we are all comfortable with each other."

"We need people who are committed to fighting to their last breath, even when there's no fight left to fight," said Ernie firmly, puffing out his chest, "Zacharias is in anything and everything he does only for himself."

"Exactly," said Sally, "And that's why he's a NO!"

Sally leaned back in her chair, feeling at peace she had made the right decision.

"You know," thought Sally to herself as she sat in her chair, "I would have tried to persuade Neville, Ginny, and Luna to give Zacharias a chance if there was any chance he might help us against the Death Eaters. Given the situation at hand, we need as many allies as we can get. Had there been any possibility that I thought Zacharias wanted to help the cause or would valuable therefore, I'd have tried to get Neville, Ginny, and Luna to swallow their pride and give Zacharias a second chance. But Zacharias blew any chance he had. He made it clear that it was about "me" and not "we", and he even said that the most important thing about the war was that Zacharias Smith survives it. Had there been any doubt about his motivations or any chance at all he had any altruistic side whatsoever to his motivations, I'd have vouched for giving him a chance. But, he made his true colors and motivations clear and as such he blew any chance he had at ever getting back into the newly reformed D.A. It's just too clear how better off we are without him."

Much love from Arizona for all the support. Love you all-Michael. :)