Author's voice : I do not own Harry Potter or Criminal Minds. I do not make money with my fictions and the only thing I can hope in return for my work are reviews. As I am no native english speaker, I'd really like if you could tell me when I make a mistake and how to correct it to ease your reading.

Also, this story is opened to discussion. I'm not sure yet where the characters will go, what they'll do or how they'll end. You are welcome to express any opinion on this fic, good or bad, as long as it is respectful.

Thanks for your time and enjoy the dive in a world that is both magical and horrifying. Love, Snapepotter.

Criminal Minds : Wizarding edition

Chapter 9 : Of regrets and memories – Azkaban Island – December 2007 - February 2008

Artémée's family home – Crapaudines – France

And for once, that statement was mostly right.

Surprisingly – serial killers didn't take breaks – the whole team was allowed the week off between Christmas and the New year, allowing Artémée and Spencer to spend their time with Penelope, who still wasn't cleared to move because of her injury but who could play video games without even breaking a sweat. Christmas eve though, was spent with Artémée's family in France, the celebration taking place at her grandparent's country home with her siblings and mother. Spencer always did find the family gathering fascinating. As an only child, he hadn't had the chance to grow up with people who would both constantly be a nuisance and his best friend at the same time and he found his best friend's siblings entertaining to say the least.

Artémée's mother had had eight children in total, aged from 21 to a few months old, something her elder daughter felt was a bit too much, even if she adored them all. And she had a point. Following her was Nala, a nineteen years old school teacher who looked like a model and Jonas, who never came to the family's dinners. After them came Annie, a sweet teenager whose father's death had prevented her from developing her magical abilities, Alphie who, as the late Jeremiah's only son was quite the overprotective brother, Angelo who strongly reminded Spencer of his father Diego, one of Voldemort stupidest death eaters and Elven who looked exactly like Artémée had as a child and much too mature for his ten years old. Anxious and bright, he never left Maggie's side , his behavior betraying his innocent fear that the little bundle his mother carried would take his place.

But of all those people, the ones Spencer loved the most were Artémée's grandparents. Marthe and Louis Deville were the kindest people on earth and had adopted Spencer as one of their grandchildren as soon as Artémée had introduced him to them. From them, he received a love he had never experienced – appart from his own mother's – and Artémée actually encouraged them to spoil him at each one of his birthdays or christmas.

Which was why, when they got up on Christmas day and said their goodbyes to join his own mother he felt the familiar tears make their ways in the back of his eyes and hugged Marthe as fiercely as she did him.

«I know you all are as busy as a bee but do me a favor and come more often. Grandpa and I would love to see more of your lovely faces. »

«We will Marthe », he replied seriously. « Thanks for the presents ».

« Tsst Tsst », she scolded with a smile. « I already told you to call me Granny. Now off you go if you don't want to make me cry. »

« Bye Gran' ! We love you !», Artémée shouted as they apparated away.

They arrived in Dublin right before noon and when they got to the facility, his mother was already waiting for them, her favourite book under her arm as she surveyed the entrance. Spencer noticed with joy that she was well and quickly made his way towards her, Artémée right behind him as they exchanged hugs and pleasanteries. With these two women beside him, Spencer felt at peace. Artémée and Diana loved each other, the younger one understanding his mother's love for litterature like no one else, even him who appreciated it more as the expression of human intelligence than the art it was. It helped that they shared a profound admiration for Jane Austen and were both strong feminists.

Contrary to the Devilles' dinner, celebration at his mother's facility was more intimate and allowed for a real conversation. It was also as pleasing, in a different way and Spencer was glad when his mother took part in several boarding games before excusing herself. Her medicine, the one that allowed her to keep happy and undisturbed by the voices had that downside. It made her sleep a lot. But as her son made his way out with Artémée, he was sporting a big smile and his eyes shone a little brighter than usual.

Bulbobup – Hampstead– Wizarding London

After their time away and their quality time together, Artémée and Spencer found themselves in serious want of a distraction as their week off was coming to an end and Penelope spent more and more time with that Lynch fellow that Spencer had trouble getting to appreciate. Hence their alacrity in accepting JJ's invitation for New Year's Eve.

The prospect of a party along with an evening with their friends drove them to wandering the snowy stones of Diagon Alley in the pursuit of the perfect gift and Spencer was wondering what to get Hotch when Artémée casually stated that she had already found his present but resfused to let him know what it was.

« It's personal », she replied calmly as they made their way towards JJ's home. « But I added a good bottle of Dragonbarrel Brandy so no one will suspect I got him anything else. It is after all his favourite. »

« How do you know that ? », he asked, completely at odds as to how she could have noticed Hotch's partialness to the drink when he himself had not.

« He gets it when he is in need of comfort », she replied with an odd smile. « I thought it would be pleasant... »

« It is very thoughtful », Spencer whispered to himself, watching his best friend ring the doorbell. Did she... ? But now wasn't the time. JJ was opening the door, looking radiant and he smiled as she exclaimed :

« Spence ! You look dashing ! »

« You...you too », he stuttered while she took his coat and hung it in her closet.

« Guys ! », she exclaimed. « Spence and Témée are here ! »

«Finally ! », Morgan complained as he greeted them. « We're starving ! »

« Poor baby », Artémée teased. « I guess you just don't want to open your present yet... »

«Bring it on », he replied excitedly as she greeted the others.

« Here », Spencer said passing the gifts.

« Oh my god this is so cool », Penelope squealed as she opened hers to discover a plush cat wearing Converse sneakers and a faux-suede coat.

« Look Emily they got us Kurt Vonnegut's books », Morgan stated with a laugh as he discovered the book and a T-Shirt where Artémée had writen BAU's favourite womaniser. « Oh you will pay little lady. »

« Yeah », Emily exclaimed. « Now everyone will know I'm a nerd and you a serial dater. JJ what did you get ? »

« Tickets for the next Canons of Chudley's match ! », JJ squealed, throwing her arms around Spencer while Artémée gave Rossi his present.

«Cigars ? », he asked looking at Spencer. « How did you... »

« Don't look at me like that ! », he exclaimed. « Artémée picked the men's gifts.

«It doesn't take a profiler to know a cigars afficionado », she replied as she gave Hotch his present. «Italian, sophisticated... I just made an educated guess. »

Rossi smiled at her then, and Spencer realised every hard feelings were forgotten on both parts. Beside him, JJ was still squealing, her eyes never leaving the tickets in her hands and he smiled. None of them was as happy with their gift as she was... Appart from Hotch perhaps who had opened his and was now watching Artémée with a soft expression, his hand clutching a framed picture of his son laughing with ice cream on his nose, the bottle of scotch carefully tucked under his arm.

For her part, Artémée was beaming at Penelope, unconscious that her boss had been rendered speechless by her present. As Hotch quickly muttered a reducto and put the frame in his front pocket though, Spencer noticed the quick glance she sent his way before she returned to her conversation, her smile even brighter than before and he sighed.

He could already smell trouble.

Morrigan's lair- Notting Hill , London

Penelope was enjoying her post coïtal shower with Kevin Lynch when someone pounded on her door. Frowning she looked at the clock and realised it was barely 6 am. Muttering threats under her breath she opened the door to a very pissed off Auror Rossi and stood there astonished.

« This », he said pointing at the folder in his hand, « cannot be everything. »

« I'm sorry, Sir ?», she replied, confused.

« This isn't everything », he repeated, entering her flat.

« I was taking a show... but alright you come in », she muttered frustrated.

« This is the Galen file I asked you to put together... That double homicide in Picadilly ? »

« No sir, you didn't ask me to put it together you just... »

« It's missing crucial bits of informations », he said angrily.

« Hum, sir », she replied irritated and anxiously looking towards the bathroom, « can't this wait 'til morning ? »

« Now, where are my notes, my original crime scene notes ? »

« Again sir, you didn't ask for the specifics you just demanded that I look up an old case ».

« Because I had to ask for everything ?! What kind of researcher are you ? », he barked.

« I am no researcher. I am a magical analyst », she replied, fumming.

« What the hell is that supposed to mean ? »

« You forgot to scrub my back, honey », announced Kevin, stepping out of the bathroom, completely naked, towel on his shoulders.

Were it not 6am and so damn dangerous for their careers, Penelope would have laughed upon seing Kevin and Rossi's face.

« Supervisory special auror Rossi », the man greeted covering his hum...manly parts.

« Auror Rossi », Penelope stepped in before he had a chance to fire them for breaking the number one rule of the BAU. « I am aware of the fraternisation rule between office employees, however... »

« It's the twentiest anniversary of this crime », he cut her off calmly. « It'll be twenty years tomorrow. Three children woke up and found their dead parents murdered. Whoever did this is still out there and it's time they paid for it ».

And he left without a single glance in Kevin's direction. Post-coïtal glow forgotten she rushed in her bedroom and put on a dress, a little make-up and decided to skip breakfast. Kevin, understanding her anxiety, stepped out of the bathroom fully clothed and together they apparated in Whitehall.

Behavioral analysis unit Headquarters – MoM - Wizarding LONDON – Level 10

Two minutes later, she entered JJ's office, remembering at the last minute that Artémée was in Azkaban with Reid and Hotch and begun to talk not caring about JJ's work.

« I can't believe he showed up at my door », she said.

« Garcia I'm busy », JJ replied eyes on a file.

« So you don't want to hear how Auror Rossi showed up at my appartment at dawn while I was enjoying a post coïtal shower with magical analyst Kevin Lynch ? »

« Sit », JJ ordered, smiling, curiosity shinning in her bright eyes. « So, you were in the shower with Kevin Lynch ? »

« Come on JJ, I'm being serious I need your help »,Penelope whined.

« With what ?! » JJ scoffed.

« Auror Rossi. We're not supposed to date fellow office employees ».

«From what I've heard, Auror Rossi is the reason most of these fraternisation rules exist, okay ? He's not going to say anything. Just relax. » And it showed how panicked she was that Pen didn't ask any questions about that. « Wait. What was Rossi doing at your appartment ? »

« Well that's a good... I'm not supposed to talk about it », Penelope admitted, meeting JJ's gaze.

« Why ? »

« I didn't press the issue. I was all naked. And all drippy. »

« Right. Doesn't showering with someone seem a better idea before you actually do it ? »

« Yes, it is a bit of a workout », Pen replied laughing.

« I mean there comes a point when a girl's got to wash her hair alone, you know. »JJ said, before her spellphone vibrated on the table. « Mrs Hotchner », she greeted politely, and Penelope frowned. She could hear Haley's pissed off tone across the room.

« Well, that would make sense, they aren't allowed to keep their mirror with them in Azkaban. », JJ explained patiently. « Yeah, if I can get a hold of him I'll...Okay. That is one seriously pissed off lady », JJ told Penelope at the end of the conversation. « She cannot reach Hotch. »

« Why would she call you ? »

« Because she knows I can do this », JJ replied spellphone already in hand and waving as Penelope left her office.

Azkaban island – Wizarding prison – Level 2 – Interrogation room

They were patiently waiting in Azkaban main office when JJ called Hotch.

« Yes, JJ ? Hum... no. It's a personal matter, I'll take care of it when I'll get back», Hotch replied and Spencer met Artémée's glance in a silent question. Frowning she just shrugged and quickly winked, silently promising to explain it all later.

« Is everything alright », he asked.

« Yes, I'm fine », Hotch replied sternly.

« You're sure ? We can do this interview at another time... »

« No, he's scheduled to be executed next week ».

« I can take the lead if you want ? »

« Reid... ». The tone was final and Spencer apologised.

« Auror Hotchner ? », a small smiling wizard asked, greeting them.

« Yes ».

« You must be Doctor Reid », he said shaking is hand. « And, Empath Wildbird, I presume », he added kissing Artémée's hand and earning a scowl. « I'm Abner Merriman. You're here for the interrogation of Chester Hardwick. »

« Yes, he agreed to meet us as part of our criminal personality research project, prior to his execution. »

« Indeed. I've read some of your studies in muggle journals, see serial killers are kind of a hobby of mine. Chester is the only one I've ever met though I bet you must have met quite a few.»

Spencer smiled politely, ill at ease. Really who called serial killers a hobby ?!

« Excuse me »,Hotch interupted with no little impatience, « we'd like to get started as soon as we can. »

« Oh, of course, forgive me. Follow me. »

And he opened a door on his right, where they began to install their material. Noticing the lustful way he kept looking at Artémée and the glee he felt looking at the victim's picture, Spencer frowned and met Hotch's gaze just as the door opened once more and Hardwick entered, handcuffed and followed by an entire team of officers.

« Shall we leave the handcuffs on ? »

« That's probably a good idea »,Spencer replied, a little scared. The guy was huge !

« No, it won't be necessary. », Hotch stated.

« Really ? », Artémée asked, her tone sarcastic.

« We're just going to talk aren't we Chester ? »,Hotch asked earning a smirk from the criminal and Artémée got closer in case something was to happen. He would never admit it but her mere presence inside the room reassured him. Hotch was not acting like his usual self this morning and it never bode well when you interviewed a criminal such as Hardwick.

« Sit down », Hotch ordered.

« I want the window opened. I'll answer any questions you have but only if this window is opened. », Hardwick replied.

« Go ahead. Reid ? »

« You were born in april 4th 1950 ? », Spencer recited from memory.

« Does my birthdate really matter ? »

« It's customary for us to start at the begining we want to learn as much as possible about your childhood », Spencer replied, tensing up.

« There's nothing to know it was average. I lived in a cosy little house, ate cereals, went to Hogwarts... »

« I don't have time for this »,Hotch barked suddenly. « You didn't live in a cosy little house, you grew up in social projects, each worse than the last. You spent your teenage years peeping at your female neighbours' window, stole from their underwear closets each chance you got and started a hundred fires. »

« We've done extensive research, mister Hardwick »,Spencer stated. « We've talked to everyone you've ever known, including your mother. » At this Hardwick started.

« Good old Jean ? I bet it's been a real treat. »

« Good old Jean is in St Mungo's. », Hotch replied harshly.

At this point lying to us isn't really possible or helpful ».

« Well, you're mistaken. »

« About what ? »

« I started a lot more than a hundred fires. What do you want to hear ? That my dad kicked me every single day ? That's what you want to hear ? »

« If it's true »,Spencer said calmly.

« Nobody gives a damn about truth », Hardwick replied. « Temperature's warming up. It's that time of the year. Long cold days, cold nights. »

« It'll be spring soon ».

« But not for you »,Hotch taunted making Spencer start. What was he playing at ?

« No...not for me »,Chester smiled.

« Let's huh...Let's talk about the specifics of the case. Why did you chose Sheila O'Neal ? »,Spencer asked.

« You've got to show me a picture. I don't remember their names. »

« Is that what this is all about ? Some chance to revive it ? », Hotch asked, pissed off and Artémée shifted in her seat, ready to calm everybody down.

« I have an excellent memory », Chester Hardwick replied. « I thought you wanted to hear the truth ? The truth is, they meant nothing to me. They were toys. A diversion. And from the moment I decided to kill them they were dead. They begged, they cried, they bargained, all in vain. It didn't matter because they didn't matter.» Spencer fought the disgust rising in his gut and crossed his arms on his chest, focusing on Hardwick and his every words. « Sometimes I wish I was normal. That I had a perfect life. But I didn't. »

« Why did you ask us here ? », Hotch asked.

« I wanted to smell the air », he replied.

« What ? »

« They've got me on death watch. 24 hours a day isolation and I will be until they execute me. So, I wanted to smell the air one last time. Thank you for giving me that. »

« Let's pack it up »,Hotch ordered, incensed.

« Shouldn't we... »

«No. Have a nice trip Chester. You're going were you belong. »,Hotch spat ringing the bell.

« It's five seventeen. Evening stroll begins at five o'clock. Guards are outside with the population. There won't be anyone to open that door for at least, thirteen minutes. And it took me less than five to do this » He smiled, pointing at one of the crime scenes pictures and Spencer began to panic.

« When you did your research you should have looked up security bells. »

« I heard the tone », Hotch replied.

« So you planned to be locked up with me ? With no wands or guns whatsoever. »

« I won't need a gun », Hotch replied, stepping protectively in front of Artémée, while Spencer tried to think of a solution. They needed to buy some time.

« There's no way they're going to execute me next week. Not after I killed two BAU members and that delicious looking doll over here. You saved my life by coming here.»

« Well unfortunately for you I'm no a five foot tall girl », Hotch spat, beginning to get rid of his jacket and brushing off Artémée's attempt to stop him. As Hotch taunted the criminal, Spencer met her anxious gaze and realised she would need to approach Hardwick and touch him if they wanted to make it out alive. That meant she would need to walk around Hotch without being noticed by either men.

« Chester », he called nervously, helping her even though he didn't want her within a mile of that man. « You want to know why you killed those women ? »

« What ? »

« Earlier, you said you had wished you were different. I can tell you why you killed them, why you are what you are. »

As he focused his gaze on Hardwick's, he hoped Artémée would get the message or that enough time would be bought to let them out. Praying to whatever deity existed he carried on talking, explaining to him how his parents' DNA had doomed him. Finally, Hardwick and Hotch both focused on him and Artémée slipped behind the killer, unnoticed. He sighed in relief carrying on speaking until she extended her arms and he said :

« Earlier you said your victims never had a chance. I think you know deep down, it was you who never had a chance ».

As Hardwick charged, Artémée's hand gripped his arm and he turned around catching her throat between his hands. Tears pooled in her eyes and Spencer realised that she needed to be able to look at Chester's if she wanted to force sleep upon him. He began to sweat as Hotch tried to get Hardwick off of her, but she kept on looking straight back at him until his forces abandonned him and he let go of her neck.

« Good work », she told Spencer, massaging her sore throat. Angry bruises were forming there.

« Is everything alright in there ? »,one of the guards asked, entering the room.

« Yes »,Hotch replied sternly. « We're done here ». And he took Artémée's arm, helping her out of the room.

« Is that true I never had a chance ? »Hardwick asked as Spencer followed them out.

« I don't know », he replied smugly. « Maybe. »

Unknown bar - Picadilly , London

In London, Rossi was fumming and wanted to kill Penelope Garcia. The woman had had the guts to tell, Prentiss, Morgan and JJ about the case he was working on and here they were, trying to get information out of him.

« Just...why do you care ? », he asked, letting his frustration show.

« Because you do », Emily replied, her dark gaze unwavering under his.

« I was sent here to investigate a serial rapist in 1987. » he told them after a moment of silence. « It was pretty short work. The guy wasn't clever. Two hours after we cornered him, I was talking to an auror when he got the call. Children were screaming on the phone, in a house of the vicinity. We were first on the scene and inside... we found... »

« You found this », Morgan finished for him, pointing at the folder on his lap.

« The axe had been left behind but it had been wipped clean. It turned out that it belonged to the family. The eldest daughter, Connie, told me her father had brought it on Christmas eve a few month earlier to cut down the christmas tree. Now, I hum... I always associate this case to Christmas. »

« So... he never hurt the children at all ? », JJ asked.

« Not physically. »

« But he would have known the children were in the house », Morgan said.

« He only hurt the parents and then left... »

« Alright, so using a weapon from the scene and not hurting the children makes him a disorganised killer. »

« But he left no evidence, which suggests he is organised », Morgan countered.

« Now, there was a fingerprint », she retorted.

« But it was behind the bedroom door », Rossi replied. « I don't even think he knew it was there. There should have been fingerprints in other places but they were wipped clean. And that one good print ? Didn't match with anyone. I've been over this a million times, I keep thinking...If there was just one more piece...one more thing to go on...the answer was right in front of me»

« He might be dead », Emily said and he turned to look at her.

« I have to be sure... »

Azkaban island – Somewhere on the way back to the headquarters

« It was smart of you to get Hardwick to focus on yourself long enough for Artémée to get to him », Hotch congratulated Spencer once they got in the car.

« I find that I do some of my best work under intense terror »,Spencer replied, smiling at Artémée who was still grimacing behind them.

« I'm sorry »,Hotch said, glancing at her in the rear-view mirror.

« For what ? », they asked.

« I antagonised the situation ».

« You didn't », Spencer argued while Artémée kept silent.

« Well I certainly didn't help », Hotch said.

« He was trying to get to you and it worked that's all », Artémée replied suddenly.

« But you really didn't help », Spencer added, feeling he was the only one not knowing what was hapening and trying to get him to talk.

« Haley wants me to sign the divorce papers uncontested so nobody wastes money on lawyers», Hotch admitted sadly and Spencer noted the way he kept glancing at Artémée. This look screamed of guilt.

« You don't want to ? » he asked.

« What I want I'm not going to get. »

After that, they spent the rest of the journey silent, discovering upon their arrival that Rossi, Morgan, JJ and Prentiss had gone to investigate a cold case in Picadilly while they were away. Artémée had been right. Rossi was still haunted by a case he'd stumbled upon, twenty years previous and he'd needed to solve it. He, and the rest of the team had visited the children who'd found their parents murdered and they'd learnt that they'd received gifts every year as a form of apology for what had happened. That was the piece Rossi had needed and they'd made the connection with a carnival coming every year. It hadn't been easy but they'd found the killer, a man like Lenny in Mice and Men and they'd arrested him.

Rossi would be able to sleep now.

Behavioral analysis unit Headquarters – MoM - Wizarding LONDON – Level 10

« Pretty Boy ! », Morgan exclaimed when they arrived at the headquarters. « How was Azkaban ?»

« Ultimately uneventful », Spencer replied, catching Artémée's eye. She winked, grabbing her scarf to cover her bruises and he turned to look at Rossi. « Sir, I believe there is someone waiting to speak to you in your office. »

They all looked up and JJ smiled knowingly when she caught sight of an anxious looking Kevin Lynch.

« Auror Rossi », he said. « We need to talk. About...Penelope. Man to man. »

« What the...? », Emily gasped when Rossi nodded and went to talk to him.

« What about Penelope ? », Morgan asked, his stance protective.

« I don't know », Spencer replied frowning as Artémée came closer to listen while JJ replied :

« Garcia and Kevin, sitting in a tree... », leaving them to ponder on it.

« Get out of here ! Are you serious ? »

« Just when I thought nothing scandalous was ever going to happen here ! », Prentiss laughed confusing Spencer.

« That's why she tried to call me this morning ! », Artémée realised.

« Wait Emily what do you mean?! »

« Did you miss this ? », the girls asked excitedly.

« What the song ? No. I missed it ! »

« You...it... », Emily stuttered in between giggles. « You know what ? Never mind ! »

« It means Penelope and Kevin are an item »,Artémée murmured behind him.

« Really ? »

« Yes really », she laughed. « You know what, I think I'm done for today. You want to grab an ice cream with me on Diagon Alley ? »she asked and he stuttered.

« Yes, sure... Emily ? »

« I want to be here when Kevin gets out of here », the witch replied pointing at Rossi's office. « But you lovebirds go and have fun. »

« What ? », Spencer exclaimed, blushing. « We're not lovebirds ! »

« She's messing with you Spencer », Artémée replied, taking his hand. « Come ! »