Redemption

Driving Lessons

They went back to the manor after lunch. Dudley was surprised to find that he was feeling there more "at home" than at Privet Drive. He felt more relaxed and more eager to learn about Pansy's world. She found a few introduction books in the library, mostly intended for pre-Hogwarts muggle raised children, which Dudley was eager to read. Pansy was checking other books at the time and Dudley didn't know what she was looking for.

"How long does it take to learn to drive?" Pansy asked Dudley after dinner.

He shrugged. "That depends. Some only need a few weeks while others drag it for months. I assume that it depends on each one's talent and on the instructors."

"Has any of your friends passed the driving test already?"

"Piers got it last summer, just before we had to go into hiding. I think two others have also got it since, but they are at school, so I can't really ask them."

"You have your mobile phone. Can't you call them?"

Dudley shook his head. "I'm not sure any of them has a mobile phone right now, and if they do, I don't have their numbers." He thought for a moment. "I may call their parents though. They should know." He thought a bit more. "Why are you suddenly interested in driving?"

"I thought we may both get our licenses together. If I go to Canada to find my parents, I need to drive my own car, as magical transportation is strictly controlled in Canada and my mother's family lives quite far from any train station or airport. Besides, not having visited Canada since I was a toddler, I can't apparate there even if it was allowed."

"Why do you need me to get a license, though?"

Pansy smiled at him. She knew he wasn't very smart – he had said so himself – but he really tried to become better. "I'd like you to come with me. We both need to be back before the school term starts and I'm not sure I can do all the driving alone. Besides, I need your company, if only for sleeping peacefully at night."

"Well... I'll try to call my friends tomorrow." He wasn't too sure they were still his friends, though, unless they had matured like he had. He was feeling quite bad about some of the things they had done together when they were younger.

"I'd like to visit that mall again," Pansy said. "I need to enlarge my Muggle wardrobe, now that I'm with you. I may need some more clothes for Canada as well, and you may need some too."

They had been together for most of the last month, since they first stumbled into each other, and still Dudley was excited at hearing her stating that she was with him. They were still only cuddling together in bed. He felt there should be more, but if Pansy was content, he wouldn't push her. And he really needed some new clothes. His old ones were too wide for him now.

"There are larger malls with more and better clothes to choose from. Don't you want to try one?" he suggested.

"Larger?" There was a hint of fear in her voice.

"Well, that mall near my parents' house is quite small. Most others are much bigger."

Stopping to think of it, Pansy found it quite logical. Little Whinging was not big and was relatively close to London, the biggest city in Britain. A mall farther from London and closer to a population center would probably be much larger. Still it was overwhelming. Despite her sophistication (and her previous arrogance, she had to admit to herself), she felt humbled by the mere size of what Muggles could do.

"I'd like to visit another mall," she finally said, "but it may take too long to shop in a big mall. I think that that one should do for now. We may go to another once we get our driving licenses."

They visited the mall soon after breakfast. It seemed just as crowded as during Pansy's first visit. It became even more crowded as lunchtime approached. Pansy felt thankful that she had her own pillar of reassurance, her Dudley. He was at her side for all their shopping and seemed to enjoy it. He only refused to go with her into the lingerie department, probably due to his education. She would have liked to tease him a bit there, but she didn't really mind. She was sure she'd had other occasions for innocent teasing, and maybe even not so innocent.

Dudley went to a jewelry shop instead. He couldn't afford most of the rings there, but a simple gold ring with a single diamond was not overly expensive. He wasn't sure why he was buying it. He only felt it was the right thing to do. He put it in his pocket, hoping he would know when and what to do with it.

Pansy was ready to try one of the hamburger chains this time. She didn't find the food too inspiring, but she liked the company. She was also noticing some of the other patrons there. She saw mothers with small children and how they doted on them. She noticed a few young couples who seemed oblivious to the rest of the world and even one old couple who acted just the same. It was really heart-warming.

She looked furtively at Dudley. He seemed more relaxed than he had been the first time they met. Well, so was she, and it was mainly due to him being with her since then. On an impulse, she bent and kissed his cheek.

"What was that for?" he asked. "Not that I'm complaining."

She smiled. "I just felt like it."

He smiled back. "You're welcome to do it again whenever you want to."

As they were finishing their meal, Dudley recognized one of the nearby offices. "I think this is the driving school where Piers took his driving license. He did it really fast. Would you like to check it now?"

Pansy shrugged. "If you think it's good enough..."

They went into that office a few minutes later.

"One of the instructors is currently free. Would you like to take your first lesson with him now?" the clerk asked.

"Sure! Can we both take a sample lesson now?" Dudley thought it was an occasion they shouldn't miss.

"Yes. Just fill the forms while I call him here."

A few minutes later, they were both sitting in a car with Dudley in the driver seat. The instructor gave him the basic explanations and then let him start driving. Dudley felt exhilaration at doing this for the first time. He was also frustrated for not doing well enough, although Pansy was encouraging him. "You're doing fine, really."

She did much worse, when her turn came. Unlike Dudley, who had seen his father drive since early childhood, she had no memories to rely on. Still, by the end of the lesson, she was doing almost as well.

"I see you are both quite talented. I think you can pass the driving test in less than a month, if you take at least three lessons a week," the instructor told them.

"I'm not sure..." Dudley felt like stretching his budget already, especially with that ring residing in his pocket.

"I'll tackle the payment. How much is it?" Pansy intervened. The few weeks with Dudley had taught her enough about Muggle money. She had also visited Gringotts, taking out a very nice sum in pounds without leaving any dent in her vault.

They visited the Dursley home that evening. Petunia was proud of her little Didikins learning to drive. Vernon, grumbling as usual, gave Dudley enough money to cover some of the driving lessons, "but I won't be able to buy you your own car for another year, maybe even longer," he stated.

"That's alright, Mr. Dursley. I'll let him drive mine whenever we're together," Pansy said sweetly.

And she did. She urged Dudley to escort her to some car agencies where she looked at the different cars. At first she thought a small car would do. When Dudley tried to get into one of the small cars on display, it became perfectly clear that her large man needed a larger car. Eventually, Pansy bought a gray medium size car. She wanted a car that would be practical and not too flashy, although she would have really liked to drive a brilliant red sports car. She also had the new car delivered to the gates of her manor.

They were still taking two driving lessons each day. They also spent about two hours each, driving Pansy's car on the grounds of her estate, learning how to deal with unpaved roads, mud covered roads and other obstacles, not usually covered by driving lessons, as Pansy was not sure what kind of roads they would have to tackle in Canada.

Dudley was spending most of his nights at her house. They no longer bothered with sleepwear but had not taken the last step either. Dudley was not going to take any initiative which might offend her, and Pansy felt a bit unsure about her attractiveness, although she could tell that his body found her very desirable.

"I think you are ready for the test," their instructor told them after three intensive weeks.

They took the test the next day. Both got their licenses.

"I think my parents would like to celebrate me getting my driving license," Dudley said.

"Then call them. Whether they want to make a festive dinner or go out with you, they should be ready."

"With us," he corrected her. "You've become an important part of my life, Pansy. I don't want to ever lose that."

He never thought he would need so much courage just to say a few words. His mouth felt suddenly dry. What if she refused? What if she said he was still just a Muggle? What if her feelings were quite different?

Dudley fumbled in his pocket, taking out the ring he had bought three weeks earlier. "Pansy, it had taken me quite a long time to understand what I feel. I only knew I wanted you to become an important part of my life and stay that way. I finally understand that I love you. Will you give me the honor to become my wife, after we both finish our studies? I..."

Pansy didn't let him speak any more. "Yes, Dudley, I've also grown to love you. I can't see myself without you. I'll gladly become your wife and bear your children. I love you."

The old Pansy would have never said such words. She would have nodded and said "yes" at most, but now she grabbed Dudley and snogged him for all her worth, her tears running freely. She only glanced at the ring some time later. It wasn't as elegant as she had seen on some of her class mates, but it was a token of love, and she cherished it for that.

They visited the Dursleys that evening. Vernon had a late business meeting, so dining out was out of the question, but Petunia was just as glad to show her cooking talents and prepare a festive dinner for four. She was also the first to notice the ring, almost as soon as the youngsters stepped in. She considered it a good cause for celebration as well.