"It's preposterous to think that a muggle can suddenly become a wizard," Minister Weasley said as he looked a the old pensieve in one of the many corners of the office, "If that was the case, we would never have squibs."

"I believe we can change your mind, Minister," Neville said as he regarded the scones that Winky had set out, He chose a little plate and decorated his scone with the clotted cream and raspberry jam. "These look delicious, Winky, thank you, "Neville said.

Winky bowed modestly and smiled.

"While unusual, in this case, something very real has happened. We don't know how or why it happened, but Samantha here has been given magical abilities. While I don't think she can cast a spell, she does seem to have legilmental abilities that are very advanced for any witch or wizard her age," Neville said.

Sam was going to interject that she thought it was because she found the Resurrection Stone, but when she tried to speak, no sound came out. She panicked for a moment, and then saw Winky motioning for her to be quiet. Sam realized in an instant that she should keep quiet, so she calmed down.

"Is there something wrong?" the minister asked as he noticed Sam trying to speak.

"No sir," Sam said. "Just choking a little. I'm fine."

"You are prepared to undergo a few tests?" the minister asked.

"I think so," Sam said.

Minister Percy Weasley produced his wand from his robe. He turned it around and offered the butt end to Sam. "Wave this around, please," he said.

Something about this seemed familiar to Sam, but like many of her memories, it was incomplete. She took his wand which seemed very plain, like it was just a smooth stick with a groove around it and waved it purposefully in the air. To the amazement of everyone, especially Sam, a single spark came out of the tip. It was like the tiniest yellow firework, fading out before it hit the stone floor.

"That means nothing," Percy said. "Residual magic, I'm sure. Do it again."

Neville nodded for her to go ahead and this time, two tiny sparks came out of the tip, like a lighter with no fluid. It meant nothing, but it also meant everything.

"Give that back," the Minister growled. He didn't want more muggles in Hogwarts, certainly one that had been given the slightest bit of magical abilities after following one of his decrees, namely that Muggles that had knowledge of magic without being related to someone with magical abilities must have their memories altered. Once this got out, his fragile hold on his own perceived power would be further diminished.

Sam handed the wand back to the minister and their fingers touched just for an instant. Sam was inside his head and wading through his memories. The one that stood out the most, that defined him was a very clear one when Percy seemed about 18 years old. He was with a man that Sam assumed was his father and they were in a shed, or garage or something. The man was working on an old blue car and he and Percy seemed to have been having a nice conversation.

"And I don't see why I wouldn't be a prefect and even Head Boy," Percy said. "What do you think about that?"

Percy was proudly sitting on a stool when another red-headed boy came in. The boy was younger and was starting to become muscular. Percy was still quite skinny and even paler in comparison.

"Oh Ron, have you heard from Harry?" The man said. "I'm worried about him, you know. Did Hermione get here alright? I'm so glad that she's going to go to Hogwarts tomorrow. I'm almost finished with this old thing, she'll be able to fly invisibly if I'm right. Come on, let's go inside and see Hermione!" They left the shed chattering with each other and Percy sat there alone.

He hated his brother and his stupid friends. The Muggle girl was already touted as one of the greatest witches of her age. He'd had it with Muggles, Harry Potter, and his father. He hated this stupid car that Arthur had been working on all summer. What did they need a car for? They were wizards! He kicked the car so hard that a piece fell out of the engine compartment. Sam could feel his shame of being the least liked in the family and having no mechanical ability. She watched him pick up the little box with a gear sticking up from it. He looked around and threw it into a pile of old telephones before walking out.

At that moment, Percy took his hand from Sam's and looked at her.

"Are you happy now?" he asked. He put the wand into his robe and said, "I think that piece was the one that almost caused Ron and Harry to be expelled. It's all in the past now. I'm the Minister of Magic. Do you understand how important that is?"

Sam realized that the Minister was just a shell of a person. His anger had eaten up everything inside of him and there was nothing left. "I do understand" she said. "I didn't mean to get in your memories like that. I think I need help to understand it."

The minister stood up a little straighter and nodded to the Headmaster. "There are people here that will help you. Headmaster, she's yours to do as you see fit." With that, he apparated on the spot and disappeared."

"Impressive," Neville said. "Thank you Winky, the sparks were a nice touch."

"You did that?" Sam exclaimed and gave Winky a giant hug. "Thank you so much!"

Winky was surprised for a moment and returned the hug. She was happy.

Meanwhile, Pansy and Jack saw two figures running up a path from Hogsmeade.

"Is that…" Jack started.

"Rose and Colin," Pansy said. "It must be nice to have friends," she said, pulling herself out of Jack's embrace. "Come on, let's go let them in."

"Where is she?" Rose asked as Pansy opened the doors for Rose and Colin who were out of breath.

"She's with the headmaster," Pansy said. "He and the Minister are testing her magical abilities. Let's go see if they are out yet."

As the walked down the corridor, Jack noticed Rose pull on the sleeve of Pansy's green coat that was now covering a deep red and gold dress. Rose whispered something in Pansy's ear and Pansy put her hand up to her lips and smiled embarrassed. "Rose, will you take everyone to the Great Hall to wait, and I'll join you in a moment?" She then turned and walked the other way down the hall.

"What did you say?" Jack asked, trying to stay out of earshot of Colin.

"Her lipstick was all smeared. You've got some on you, here let me fix it."

Jack braced himself for a spell, but Rose pulled out a napkin from her coat pocket and wiped Jack's upper lip as he blushed.

"All better," she said with a smile.

Minutes later Neville and Sam joined the four others.

"How'd she do?" Jack asked as he pulled his daughter into a hug.

"Brilliant," Neville said. "There is no reason to alter anyone's memory and I think there is a very real chance to make some wonderful new ones. Hello Rose and Colin. Nice to see you."

"Does that mean?" Pansy started.

"Yes," Neville said. "Sam is now part of the Magical world, and by proxy, so is Jack."

"I don't understand," Jack said when he saw Pansy's smile. "It wasn't just them erasing my memory, you were forbidden to be with me?"

"We have old rules that are hard to put away," Neville said. "Now you two are free."

Jack took his free hand and held it out to Pansy. As she took it, he said, "Headmaster, do you think you could find someone else to teach in her place?"

"I have just the instructor in mind," Neville said with a mischievous smile.