Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter.
"Now are you sure you have everything packed, Alexia Dear?" Alex looked up from her trunk to nod at Roberta Garrett. "We don't want you forgetting anything, that just wouldn't do," Mrs. Garrett added while pursing her lips.
"No worries, Mrs. Garrett. Kimberly and I went over the list you gave me twice and I have everything," Alex replied reassuringly, thinking of the young woman who came each day to prepare her meals.
"Yes well, Kimberly has your supper ready, so while you go eat I'm just going to make sure you're right." Alex stood up and made sure Mrs. Garrett wasn't looking before she rolled her eyes as she headed toward the stairs. "And do not roll your eyes at me Alexia Dustine Aarons!"
"How did you know that?" Alex asked her in awe.
"You should know by now, Dear, I know everything. Now, go EAT." With that, Mrs. Garrett pushed her toward the stairs with a smile on her old face.
When Alex finally stepped into the dining room, she was greeted with a loud "WE'LL MISS YOU ALEX!" She smiled at the sight around her and walked to the people she considered family. She gave Kimberly Walker a huge hug as she spotted the monumental cake on the dining table.
"Kimberly, that is the most awesome looking cake I've ever seen. Thank you so much!"
Kimberly beamed at the compliment and laughed as she replied, "It had better be, I spent three very long hours on that hunk of unhealthy goodness."
Alex laughed and turned to Kimberly's fiancé, Jason Lyons. "Thanks loads for coming Jason. It was really great of you to come," she told him as they embraced. He even picked her up and twirled her around. She laughed loudly as he set her down.
"You're acting as if I just came here for the food when I actually made the banner, Shorty," he bragged, using the nickname he gave her when she was little. Alex stared up at the huge Have A Good Year banner above their heads.
"And anyway…of course, I came! I've only been driving you everywhere for the past ten years! I mean come on."
Alex smiled and replied sheepishly, "Okay, okay…point taken, no need to bite my head off." Then Jason stepped back to hold hands with Kimberly as Alex turned to Mr. Garrett and his wife who had just come downstairs.
She hugged them both simultaneously and said, "Thank you both so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Tears began welling up in her eyes. Mrs. Garrett saw this and quickly replied, "Hush, we are not here to cry, Dear. We are here to wish you luck…now, sit."
Mr. Garrett pulled out a chair for her and told her in his quiet, wheezy voice, "You have presents to open."
Alex began to protest saying, "You all did NOT have to get me anything, seriously."
Three gifts were set before her as Jason replied with a mischievous smile on his face, "Shut up and open them, you little snot." Everyone chuckled at that except for Mrs. Garrett who just shook her head.
"All right, I'm opening, I'm opening." Alex pulled the closest present toward her. It was badly wrapped box in metallic blue wrapping paper and about half the size of her school trunk. She looked at Jason with a raised eyebrow.
"That one's from me," he told her while puffing out his chest with pride.
"Really…I had no idea," she replied with a giggle. She unwrapped the package and came to a simple maple box. She opened into quickly and hugged Jason when she saw its contents.
It was filled with a new regulation soccer ball, a pair of cleats, shin guards, a new outfit two practice in which included black exercise capris, a blue exercise sports bra, and a pack of black hair ties, and finally a photo of her after she made the winning goal at her last game.
When he pried Alex off of him he asked with a frown, "You don't like it, huh?" She laughed, and lightly smacked his arm. She then sat back down as Kimberly handed a neatly wrapped (much smaller box) to her.
"Here, open mine next." Quickly, Alex opened that present to and came to yet another maple box. She opened it and found a small piece of paper inside. Alex read One Henna Tattoo.
"Oh my Gosh! Are you serious?" Alex asked excitedly. Kimberly worked at a small piercing/tattoo parlor when she wasn't at the Aarons' home. She had three tattoos herself and told Alex she could have one if it was okay with her mother.
"Yup," Kimberly giggled just as excitedly. "You can come by tomorrow before you leave."
"Heck yes!" Alex shouted. Everyone laughed as Mrs. Garrett pushed the remaining gift to her.
"Here, Dear. Mr. Garrett and I put this together when you were just after your father left." Alex took the package and gave a small smile wondering why the old lady had felt the need to mention her father.
The package was wrapped in black and gold paper. She peeled off the paper more slowly than she had the other two.
When all the wrapping was finally off her breath caught in her throat as what looked an awful lot like a photo album. She felt she knew what was coming. She opened it up to the first page and read:
Alexia
You have grown into a remarkable young woman and that's why Mr. Garrett and now feel you are ready to see this. This album is filled with photographs taken during your mother's and father's two years of dating and first two years of marriage. They were so happy together and you must not blame or hate your father for leaving. He told us that it was the hardest thing he ever did. He loved you so much, He just couldn't believe there was so much about your mother and even you that he had been lied to about. Your mother's former headmaster Albus Dumbledore helped us develop the photos for you. We all love you very much.
Roberta and Steven Garrett
Alex looked up at the two people who were so much like her grandparents with tear filled eyes. "That's so beautiful…guys. I don't know what to say."
Mrs. Garrett looked down at her happily and replied, "Turn the page." She did as instructed and gasped as she saw the first picture.
Her mother and who she assumed to be her father (Alex had never before seen a picture of him) were cuddling at a park somewhere while enjoying a beautiful picnic. She watched as they looked at her and her father blew her a kiss.
She closed the album and stood up. Tears were flowing freely from her eyes as all of her friends hugged her tightly. Alex wondered what she had done to have such amazing friends.