Redemption

Visit

Dudley spent the morning tidying his room. He packed the game stuff he didn't want, along with some magazines and put them in the spare room. He straightened his bed and put a bed-cover over it. He then made sure to clear the dust, especially at the corners. 'Pansy will come after visiting at one funeral or more. She may need to use the bathroom,' he thought. This made him spend some time there, making sure the bathroom was perfectly clean, although his mother was cleaning it regularly. After this work, a shower was a must. He also shaved and put on some deodorant and his best smelling after-shave.

"Are you planning on going out tonight?" his mother asked, seeing him so well-shaved and wearing some of his best clothes.

"I don't think so right now, but I may change my plans." He didn't really know what Pansy might like. He only knew he liked her company.

Pansy knocked on the door shortly before five. She looked tired and sad, but seeing Dudley glad to see her brought some life back to her face.

"I'm glad you're here," he told her.

"I'm glad as well," she said, leaning her head on his wide chest, getting some comfort from being held by him, although reluctantly.

This time, Petunia noticed the visitor. "Dudley, don't you like to present your friend?"

They both turned to face her. "Mom, this is Miss Pansy Parkinson, I've met her at the mall. Pansy, this is my mother, Petunia Dursley. My father is not yet home."

Petunia smiled at her. "We're glad Dudley is making new friends."

Pansy only nodded. She noticed Petunia scanning her top to bottom and then nodding slightly, as if approving of her. She was glad that she was wearing some nicer clothes, anticipating having to meet his family.

"Don't you like to drink something? Maybe even a refreshment before dinner. I hope you're staying for dinner," Petunia suggested.

Dudley didn't like the idea. It was too early to confront his parents and he really wanted only to get to know Pansy better. "I think we should go out tonight," he said. "Pansy has a lot of pressure lately and I think it would be better to go out, maybe even watch a movie."

Petunia was delighted. "How considerate of you! Now, go to your room. I'll bring some refreshment shortly."

Both seemed eager to comply. Once the door closed behind them, both started giggling. "Is she always like that?"

Dudley smiled, just happy to be with her. "She used to be even worse when I was younger." He turned serious now. "If you need the bathroom, it's the second door on your left. You can use the purple towel."

Pansy smiled back. "Thank you. It's very considerate of you to care for that."

She returned a few minutes later, looking a bit revived, her makeup perfectly in place.

"How was it?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"As expected. Nobody really wanted me there, but Potter and Granger accepted me, so the rest did as well."

"Why is that?" he wondered.

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Can't you see? He's the hero now, along with his friends. He has defeated the most feared dark lord ever, probably the most powerful as well. People now believe Potter is more powerful than any living witch or wizard. I really hope he never turns dark!"

"I've never considered him powerful, but maybe he is. I couldn't really know. Yet I don't think he'd ever turn dark. That wouldn't be Harry."

The knock on the door was followed by Petunia bringing in a tray. It was much more than Dudley had brought the previous day. Pansy didn't touch the cake and the biscuits, but drank some of the orange flavored soda, which helped raise her spirit, and then some tea, which finally brought a smile to her face.

"I still need you to teach me some more about all you have in your room, but maybe we should go out now. Dinner time is approaching," Pansy commented.

"Sure, let's go! You wouldn't like to meet my father, I'm sure."

After saying goodbye to Mrs. Dursley, it was only a short walk to the bus station and a short ride to the mall. It was Pansy's first experience with this kind of transportation, though, making even this short ride into an exciting experience.

The mall wasn't large. It had less than fifty shops, all at ground floor, while the cinema, some fast-food outlets and a multitude of offices occupied the only upper floor. Still, this was larger than anything Pansy had seen before and the evening crowd was also larger than she had ever seen. She held Dudley tightly, as if afraid of losing him in the crowd. Dudley didn't mind. He even enjoyed the way she was clinging to him, her body touching his, giving him an occasional brush with her breasts.

Pansy calmed down after a while. She started looking at the shops, noticing the different kinds of shops and merchandise. "It looks like most of the stores are for clothing," she noted. "Why is that?"

Dudley shrugged. "I don't think this is by design. It's just that clothes change by fashion, at least once a year, making this a very lucrative market, especially the women's wear. There's also fashion in shoes, I think, but not as much as clothing."

Pansy was fascinated. That single building contained more shops than Diagon Alley and was much more crowded. She tried to mentally count how many people were there, finding that it was probably more than the whole magical population of Britain. The idea was really humbling.

"Don't you want to see a movie?" Dudley asked her.

"What is a movie?"

"It's like what you can see on TV, but on a much larger screen, Most movies are telling some stories. We may choose what to see."

They took the glass-walled elevator to the upper floor. "What are the P1 and P2 markings for?" she asked.

"There's some parking space for cars under the shops. The elevator can take you to both parking floors there. It's very useful when the weather is bad," he explained.

"Do you have a car?"

"No. I need to learn and take a test to get a driving license before I may legally drive. I couldn't do it before..."

She smiled understandingly.

There were four movies to choose from. Pansy had no idea about them. Dudley didn't know much either, as the films were new, but he knew where to look for information in the ads. "This one is a detective story, full of mystery and suspense. I don't think it would fit your current mood," he said, after looking at one ad. They dismissed an action film for similar reasons – it could remind her too much of the battle.

"This one is a romantic comedy. It deals with the problems of a guy in finding love. It may be good for you, giving you a few laughs."

Pansy agreed. Dudley bought the tickets. They still had almost an hour to spare before it started. "We can just eat something out. Do you know any of these?" he asked, pointing at the various fast-food restaurants.

"No. I know what a hamburger is and I've heard about pizza, but I've tasted neither."

"What would you like, then?"

"I'll pass the meat. Let's have pizza!"

They ordered a large pizza with each quarter having different topping, to let Pansy sample several kinds. She loved it. Dudley only ate a bit, leaving most of it for her. He then suggested Italian ice-cream, which both enjoyed very much.

They enjoyed the film as well, although it wasn't really interesting. Pansy cuddled into him and he hugged her shoulders, both feeling content. They still laughed at some scenes, though, and Pansy became somewhat tense at a certain suggestive scene, although there was nothing explicit on screen.

He invited her for a hot cocoa before escorting her to a secluded corner. Pansy kissed him again, not as briefly this time, and then apparated away.

'What does it mean?' he kept asking himself all the way home. He liked that kiss. He would have gladly responded, had she given him time. Did she love him? Impossible! They had hardly met. Did she like him? He really hoped she did. He was sure he liked her, despite being a witch and having been on bad terms with Harry and his friends. Well, he had not been on very good terms with Harry either. And he really liked her.

His father grumbled, as usual, not paying him much attention. That was alright, really. When he got his father's full attention, it usually meant bad things. His mother, though, wanted to know some more, yet Dudley kept to his story, giving no further details. He was only willing to say that it was a very pleasant evening and he intended to have some more in a few days.

Not having school, as he had missed most of the year, he could sleep late, yet Dudley woke up as soon as he heard his father leave the house. He took a look at the funeral list. One was scheduled for eleven and another at fifteen hours. He didn't know who these were, but as Harry's cousin, most would not question his presence. Besides, Pansy said she would go to all the funerals in the list.

He dressed nicely, as appropriate for a funeral, and left home a few minutes before eleven, going to that secluded spot in the playground. He landed on his feet this time, just barely, but he didn't fall. He cleared the area quickly, just in time for another person to arrive. Looking around, he saw some more people in regular clothes. This was probably what they called "muggle-born". He cringed at the thought. It could just as well be Harry. Luckily, he spotted Pansy before his mood turned darker. He took her hand in his, feeling more complete at once.

"Slept well?" he asked.

"Better than the other nights since the battle," she said, looking happy to see him.

He was so concerned with Pansy that he failed to notice when Harry arrived, accompanied by his (formerly) bushy-haired friend. Harry looked surprised. "Dudley! I didn't think you would like to come to such events."

Dudley shrugged. "Pansy said she intended to attend all funerals. I saw how it affected her. I thought some company would be welcome."

Harry looked at him appreciatively. "You've gone a long way, Dudley. Do your parents know?"

"No way! Although Mom has seen Pansy and said she seemed to be a nice girl."

Hermione made a face, but said nothing.

It was sad and touching, like all funerals, and when Pansy shook hands with the parents ("He was not yet sixteen. He should have left the school!" Pansy told him,) she was accepted with no hesitation.

"Would you like to join us for lunch?" Harry asked, once they were leaving the cemetery.

Dudley was surprised at first. He glance at Pansy who looked just as surprised, but then nodded. "I think that's fine," he said.

Harry held his hand while Hermione held Pansy's and they apparated to Diagon Alley. It was the first time Dudley had gone there, and despite the war damages still evident and the many stores still closed, it was a sight to remember.

"You remind me of my first time here," Harry told him with a smile.

"It is really fascinating," Dudley managed to answer.

Dudley could have spent many hours there, but the others were more concerned with the schedule. He was almost forced to walk faster than he wanted. They didn't go very fast though. Almost everybody who saw them came to congratulate Harry, and to a lesser degree – Hermione. It was almost impossible to walk that way. Hermione then cast a spell on the group, making them all unnoticed by others, enabling them to reach the restaurant.

It was just a very simple meal, really, but it was also very special. It was the first time Dudley could see Harry in his natural environment, surrounded by people who were friendly to him. It was also the first time he could really talk with Harry as equals. He also noticed that Pansy, who was quite tense initially, relaxed as time passed, joining the conversation just like him.

"Whose idea was it to have both light and dark fighters in the same list?" Pansy asked.

"It was Harry's idea," Hermione said.

"But only you made it work," replied Harry. "Well, I thought that most of the fallen were Voldemort's victims. He persuaded them to join, and once they joined, it was for life. We know that some changed their minds, maybe even many, but they were unable to resign without paying the ultimate price. Others were brain-washed by their bigoted families, leaving them no real choice. They are also victims."

"Would you make that criteria hold for those who are awaiting trials?" Pansy asked.

"No. Those who died have the benefit of doubt. Those who are alive must account for their actions, whatever the cause." Harry sounded decisive. Dudley could easily see him leading a group to battle.

"Where is Weasley?" Pansy asked.

"You miss him?" Hermione sounded almost amused.

"Not at all. I would have hated his reaction to me being here with you, but he has always been so close to you, one of the Golden Trio."

Hermione answered. "He's too affected by his brother's death. We've all been witnesses, but he and George are most affected. He's just unable to go anywhere now."

"I'm sorry for him. I could probably never understand how he feels, as I'm an only child, but I imagine it is awful," Pansy said.

"None of us can really understand. We only try to support him."

Harry looked at his watch. "I think it's time to move on. Our day has not ended yet."

Harry grabbed his parchment and they all held to it. A moment later they landed at the outskirts of another cemetery. Both women landed gracefully and helped the men regain their balance before joining the small group near the entrance.

It was a wizarding family this time. Those present didn't seem to like any of the group. "They might have accepted me, had I not been with you," Pansy said to them.

Some of those present were accompanied by uniformed people ("These are aurors, like police for the mundane," Hermione explained to Dudley). Pansy noticed both male Malfoys, each accompanied by an auror, both had their hands cuffed. Some of the others were in similar condition. One of the adults didn't hold his anger inside.

"Why have you come here? To rejoice that our son is dead?"

Harry didn't flinch. "He is a victim, just like the others. He should have still been in school, learning how to do right, but he was caught in a war he had no reason to participate in and lost his life for the folly of others. He's just as much a victim as those who fought on the other side."

The older man didn't seem satisfied with the answer but knew better than to continue the argument.

Once the ceremony was over, Pansy approached Draco. "How did he die?" she asked.

"He lived like a fool and died like a fool. He set the room of lost things on fiend-fire, intending to kill Potter and his friends, not knowing how to control the fire. Potter risked himself to save us. He found me and Gregory, but Vincent had been consumed by the fire he had started before he could be rescued."

Dudley shuddered at the thought. He then noticed that it was Harry who tried to save the fool, despite what he had done. His image of Harry just brightened a bit more.

Harry and Hermione left for the Burrow, intending to stay with their friends. Pansy was reluctant to go back home, with only her house elf there for company. It felt so lonely. She considered going with Dudley to his home, but meeting his parents didn't seem right after such a day. "Will you accompany me home?" she asked him.

Dudley was surprised. "Will your parents..."

"I live alone now. My parents fled the country due to the war," Pansy cut in.

"Well..." He had never accompanied a girl home, certainly not a witch, but... "Why not?"

Pansy apparated them both to the entrance hall of her house. Dudley could see that even this small room was almost as big as his parents' house. Its ceiling was as high as a two-story building and it was larger than the living room, the kitchen and the auxiliary room at Privet Drive put together. He wondered if all magical folks had such big houses.