The next two weeks were a blur to Alex. The phone calls of condolences were endless from her mother's friends and acquaintances. Letters poured in from both muggles and wizards from all over the world. Most of whom, Alex had never heard about. She was touched at how many had known and cared for her mother.
The funeral took place two weeks after her mother's death. It was held at the mother and daughter's church, St. Catherine's. The service was beautiful, but that was about all Alex remembered. Afterwards, everyone met at the Aarons' home for the reception.
Alex knew what was expected of her, so she moved from group to group, with the same things being said over and over.
"Thank you for coming," She would say quietly, with a gracious smile on her face.
"Of course. We wouldn't miss this for the world," the reply would come. "Your mother was a truly amazing woman." Everyone said great things about her mom and that made Alex proud, yet sad at the same time.
It was incredibly difficult though, seeing that both muggles and magical people were present. The wizards kept looking at everything in the house that they weren't used to, the 86 in. plasma television for the most part. Alex was able to tell right away who was who, because the wizards always spoke of amazing things Karen had done all over the world.
Everyone ate and spoke to each other. Alex watched them all and smiled in spite of her sadness at how they were all so different, yet could be brought together by one common bond: her mother, Karen.
Alex sighed and walked in to the kitchen, wanting to be alone for a few minutes. Unfortunately, solitude wasn't to be found. An old man was sitting at the marble countertop, staring out the window. He didn't seem to notice her.
She looked at him from head to toe. He wore a pitch-black suit and a deep red tie. He had long silvery hair tied in a ponytail, so it rested gracefully on his back. He wore small glasses that rested on his crooked nose. His bright blue eyes had a sad look to them, but she could tell that sadness didn't belong in them.
Deciding to make her presence known, she cleared her throat. The old man quickly stood up and said, "Alexia...my you do look like your mother, don't you?" He gave her a sad smile and gave her a hug.
She returned the smile and replied, "Thanks. Ummm, Who are you? Did you know her well?"
He nodded. "I am Professor Albus Dumbledore. She was always so bright in school. Always the first to know an answer…quite popular too, now that I think of it," he told her with a wink. "You see, I was a teacher of hers."
"Were you?" she asked in awe. "At Hogwarts, you mean?"
"Yes. Speaking of which," he replied, "have you opened your letter yet?"
"No, actually," she told him with a frown etched in her pale face. "I've been so busy, there hasn't really been any time"
"Well, I'll assume you know what it says?" he asked her. She nodded. "Right. Will you be attending, then?"
"Of course!" she exclaimed hurriedly, causing him to smile. "Oh, but there is so much other stuff I have to take care of. You know like my mom's will, my new guardian, and then I still have o buy everything, you know what I mean?"
"Well, Alexia, if you need anything you know where to find me," he told her as he walked back to the family room.
"Actually, no. I don't," Alex said, raising her eyebrows slightly.
The Professor coughed and replied, "Yes…well, your owl will. Once you get one that is. Have a pleasant summer, Miss Aarons." With that being said, Alex stared after him as he shook hands with a few other people and left her home.
She stood there watching for a few minutes before she finally said, "Well…that was odd." She shook her head and went back to her guests.
"It's all taken care of, Mr. Banks. Trust me. All you have to do is make sure everything is carried out properly," said Alex, trying to reassure her mother's lawyer that everything was arranged.
Jim Banks shook his baldhead in disbelief, smiled, and replied, "You are eleven years old, Miss Aarons. How could you get everything done in one week all by yourself?"
Alex sighed and said, "We read the will, I found new guardians, and the funeral is over. I'm young, Mr. Banks, not stupid."
Her lawyer scratched his head, pushed up his large round glasses, and asked, "What do you mean you 'found new guardians?'"
"Well," she replied. "It is my life so I decided I didn't want to go live with some nuts that I don't know. I asked the Garretts. Mr. Garrett is our… my groundskeeper and Mrs. Garrett helps with housework. I've known them forever and they won't try to take my estate. So, that works for me."
She looked up at Mr. Banks and he nodded. She continued, "Now I filled out all of the paperwork, here." She handed him aflaming orangefolder and smiled. "My favorite color." He gave a small chuckle. "There's also a copy of my mom's will in there, so yeah."
Mr. Banks replied with a sigh, "Well, I'll look over this and why don't you come back tomorrow around 4:00 pm."
"Sorry, Mr. Banks. No can do. I am heading to England for school shopping. My plane leaves tomorrow at 7:00 am. I'll be back in a week, so I will see you then." Her lawyer laughed and agreed.
It was on the plane to England that Alex finally felt happy since her mother's death, three weeks before. Alex loved to fly. She felt so free and content in the air.
When she got on the plane alone, she was even asked if she wanted to see the cockpit. She was positively glowing as the led her to the very front of the plane. The pilots greeted her with large smile. They spoke to her for about ten min. before she had to take her seat. It was great. She then slept the rest of the flight.