Title: The Housekeeper
Disclaimer: The characters from Harry Potter books and Criminal Minds TV series do not belong to me (I merely use them in my plot for fun).
Pairs: Harry Potter/ Aaron 'Hotch' Hotchner
Betareader: pussycatadamah
New Doors Opening
Mornings before Jack or Teddy woke were precious for both Harry and Aaron. It was often that when they wanted time alone they would wake up half an hour earlier and talk. If they were extra energetic they ended up tangled together like this morning, when Aaron had given the bedside clock a glance and then turned on his side, a soft smile on his face.
"Mmm, what?" Harry muttered; face half pressed to his pillow.
"We have half an hour till the terrors wake up," the BAU agent commented.
Harry cracked a green eye open. Slowly he turned to fully face his lover. With deliberate motions he pressed closer to the older man. "Do we now?"
The pair shared a conspiratorial grin. The green eyed wizard was the one to kick off the covers just as Aaron pulled him closer, bodies pressed together, their excitement evident. Mouths met eagerly as Aaron pressed Harry down, rolling on top of him. The wizard's hand wound up around his lover's neck, fingers burying into dark short hair. Mouths met urgently and needy. The garments they wore to sleep were peeled away, thrown off the bed, underwear joining soon after. When they were skin to skin Aaron pulled away from Harry's lips and their eyes met.
"All the way?" the older man asked and Harry shook his head.
"We don't want to wake them," the green eyed man muttered.
Aaron nodded and reached over, grabbing the tube that was right next to his gun. A grin lit up Harry's face; he had mentioned once or twice how funny he found this fact.
"Now don't you start giggling," Hotch said, face straight.
It was easy and familiar the way he poured the liquid in his palm and palmed Harry's growing erection. A soft exhale and a slow thrust of Harry's hips made Aaron go just a bit faster. He caressed and squeezed, alternating pressure and movement, using his well oiled hand for friction while his other hand was busy cupping Harry's testicles. He kept his movements teasing and only got more daring gradually, reaching behind and with a slick finger teasing the pucker and pulling back again. It was a welcome torture and Harry had to reach for the pillow to keep some of the noises he was making down. The strokes got firmer, the grip just a bit tighter and Harry felt his breath hitch a bit. It was not long before the green eyed wizard was biting down on his pillow while he came in Aaron's hand, making a mess.
When Harry could breathe again he saw the look Aaron was giving him. The other man was aroused and he looked sexy with the light sheen of sweat glistening on his temples and the way his mouth was quirked in a smile. The green eyed man thought it a miracle Aaron was not propositioned more often. If only others saw him like this... A rush of possessiveness made Harry sit up. He was relaxed now, muscles a bit sluggish but he felt more well rested than before he woke up and he had an idea or two on how to make Aaron more relaxed for the day he had ahead of him.
"Why don't we move this party to the shower, hm? What do you think?" Harry asked, impish smirk firmly in place.
"I think I like how your mind works," the agent replied.
If there was one thing the BAU members wanted to avoid, it was a meeting with Section Chief Strauss, Aaron Hotchner even more than some due to his... rivalry with the woman. Yet the dreaded call came and Hotch could not get out of this so he walked to her office and sat across from her and bore her hard stare.
"Agent Hotchner," she said. "I received a request earlier today, a request that I cannot turn down and it involves your team."
As soon as Hotch heard those words he went a bit more alert. Usually these kinds of conversations came before his team was involved in a case were politics were more important than the victims and while Aaron as BAU team leader was a bit more involved with the politics side of the case (except maybe JJ) he hated dealing with politicians, especially when his investigations were delayed. And if Strauss could not turn them down, then this spoke levels on how nerve racking things would be.
"Are you familiar with a government agency with the acronym MGA, Agent?" the blonde woman asked.
"Briefly we crossed paths where some of their agents, both my team and me on a more personal level," Hotch revealed to her. It was nothing she could not find out on her own, no use withholding information for something like this.
Strauss pursed her lips and then passed a Bureau folder to Hotch, a file containing an official request for the creation of a joined task force, the BAU and the MGA for the span of a case. It went on to say that they wished for Hotchner's team to become a permanent partnership for the two agencies should the need arise. It had several official stamps and signatures and Aaron's eyes focused immediately on the President's. His eyes widened minutely, a telltale sign of surprise and one Strauss noted. It also said, in not so many words, that they would do this, whether Strauss approved or not. It certainly explained why Aaron's boss was so irritated.
"I don't know how you did it," Strauss said, looking both angry and proud, "But they want you. They requested for you specifically and your team as well, no other BAU team, just those working under you."
That was an odd request since the BAU had several competent teams. Why would they want Hotchner's team specifically raised many questions? Aaron was just as puzzled as Chief Strauss by the request, but part of him was also pleased that the team's skills were recognised this way. He was glad that no member was overlooked because Hotch truly believed that each of them was irreplaceable, too bad no one else seemed to realise this.
"They will come next week to brief all of you and share the details for an oncoming case," Strauss continued. "I've passed on all other cases to other teams so that yours can wrap up any and all paperwork and so that you can finish up your existing consults. Understand that the offer comes with a trial period. They want to see how well you work and if you can work with them. From what little they told me..." Here she sounded annoyed again, "...They are mostly tasked with actively tracking down their Unsub's but without profilers their rates at crime solving are not as good as they hoped."
"I see," Aaron said.
"No matter what, I want them to have the best opinion for FBI and BAU in particular. There is politics involved," Strauss warned and the male agent nodded.
"I'll brief the team," Hotch said and the meeting came to an end. He rose, fixing his suit jacket and tried to figure out a way to tell the rest of the team without alarming them too much as he walked out from Strauss' office.
Play dates with JJ's son Henry and Jack and Teddy were becoming an increasingly more common occurrence. While Henry was too young compared to the other two boys, their group was surprisingly well behaved and that was the reason the women of the BAU team had asked Harry along on a free afternoon they had called the green eyed man suggesting the play date. Harry had been reluctant at first, worried that they might figure something out about him and Aaron. They were not hiding their relationship per se but not broadcasting it either. Also, Aaron had mentioned that David, who had noticed the interactions, had tried to rope him into a bet involving the time and reactions of the members of the team when they found out about him and Harry, because it was a matter of 'when' not 'if'. Still, Harry had agreed, so he readied the boys and drove them to the mall. Prentiss and Garcia were already there, dressed in jeans and comfortable shoes and smiling wide as they met with Jack first and Teddy second.
"He's adorable," Penelope said as she released a red cheeked Teddy from her arms.
"Wait till he and Jack join forces, then he's a terror," Harry joked.
"Sorry we're late!" JJ said as she and Henry arrived, Will in toe. She turned to her husband. "Sorry again," she sounded sheepish. "My car just gave up on me," she told the women and Harry.
Henry's dad stayed with them, greeting Prentiss, Harry and Garcia warmly before leaving the group.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Emily asked, rubbing her palms together while Garcia had now moved from Teddy to cooing over her godson.
"Jack and Teddy need new shoes," Harry said. "They had an accident with mud the other day," he said, trailing off just as the two boys started protesting that that day it was not their fault they had been knee deep in mud.
"This reminds me of something," JJ said.
"I used that same excuse as a kid," Garcia admitted.
"So, first stop a shoes store," Emily said, "Then?"
"Coffee for us, sugar for them," Harry replied. "After that, we take them to the playground and set them loose. They should be tired in three hours and by then you ladies will have maxed out your credit cards and have three angels ready for bed."
"I like that plan," JJ announced.
"Seconded," Emily said.
"Motion passed!" Penelope cheered and started stirring the group to the store she had in mind.
Harry watched as Jack approached Henry first, with a caution that lasted for all ten seconds before he took Henry's smaller hand in his and gently tagged the younger boy along, taking him to Teddy's side. All three of them made a cute picture, talking among themselves, words not all the time making any sense but apparently they communicated enough to understand each other. What the green eyed wizard was certain about was the fact that Spongebob was mentioned once and Mickey Mouse twice.
"Whole other world," Garcia spoke up from Harry's other side. "Do you remember what it was like? Being a kid?"
"Vividly," Harry admitted with a bitter edge in his voice but he shook his head soon after. "I have not had the happiest of childhoods," he admitted to the technical analyst. "In a way, getting to play with the boys... I'm revisiting that time and this time around it's much happier. Now, don't frown Penelope," he told the blonde woman.
"I'm being around profilers all day," she muttered. "I always fear for the worse."
"It's in the past," Harry assured her.
She gave him a suspicious look but let it go. "Sooo, Teddy is a cutie pie. And he and Jack act like brothers."
Harry shrugged. "They are both orphans," he told her. "And they know that Aaron and I care about each of them. Jack knows he is not second best to his father and Teddy knows he's my world so they have us equally distributed." Now he was smiling. "We were more worried about the cohabitation than the boys, picturing the worst. I'm glad Teddy and Jack can get along now."
"Too bad Henry is so young," Emily said. Apparently she and JJ had been keeping an ear on their conversation.
"Jack loves Henry!" Penelope reminded the other woman.
"Yes, but he is the baby in the group..." JJ pointed out.
"That sounds suspiciously like profiling," the green eyed wizard said, looking at the women.
"We kind of do that to other people," Emily sheepishly admitted.
"Job hazard," JJ smiled.
Garcia giggled. "Well that and it's fun seeing the reactions of other people."
"You do this for sport?" Harry quirked an eyebrow.
"And laughs. Though we did make a pact to not profile each other," JJ said.
Emily snorted. "No one really sticks to it though."
"It's like working with mind readers," Penelope stage whispered to Harry, who snorted with amusement.
Upon entering the store it was easy to get the boys to try on shoes and Garcia managed to get Henry down to try a few pairs as well, despite JJ's protests that he did not need more shoes.
"He's my godson! Let me spoil him," the technical analyst argued.
"You know, that excuse is wearing thin," JJ muttered but relented when Henry looked up at her, wearing a pair of trainers with the penguins from Madagascar.
"Mom?" Henry asked and JJ caved. She turned to Garcia who was gleeful.
"Isn't it obvious who's his godmother?" she asked, delighted.
Meanwhile Teddy had picked a pair with Angry Birds on it in greens and blues and Jack opted for a similar pair in reds and yellows.
"Shortest visit to a shoe store ever," Emily remarked when they all marched to the register. "Not that I mind."
Harry got back his change and frowned at her. "Yes, I heard there was a car chase involved in your last case. You're still sore? That was three weeks ago."
"Roughly yes. The doctors cleared me for field duty just this week but it was one fractured rib and it hurt a lot so..." Emily shrugged. "I've had worse."
Garcia grimaced. "When you say this like that, all of you," she eyed JJ too when she said that, then she shook her head. She turned as the group was moving again, out of the store and towards a place they could sit for a while. The three boys were a step in front of them whispering to each other. Each adult had at least one eye tuned in on them all the time.
"One of these days they'll give me grey hair. I swear I'm sending them my hairdresser's bills if that happens," the blonde hacker declared.
Harry snorted. "They are a hard headed lot," he remarked.
"Really mister I-got-shot-aiding-an-FBI-case?" JJ asked, amused.
"One case!" Harry protested.
"One too many mister," Emily said.
"Now, wait a minute, Lorcan D'Eath also knew you," Henry's mom recalled.
"Coincidence," the wizard said.
Garcia bobbed her head. "A sexy one at that. Do you know any other famous people that can get us free tickets to their concerts?"
"So that's why you like me," Harry mock pouted.
"That and because you keep the boss relaxed," Emily said, making Harry choke on air.
The green eyed wizard met the eyes of all three women, the knowing looks and suggestive little smiles. Then he groaned. "You know," he said, resigned to the Inquisition that would follow.
"And I noticed first," Penelope cheered.
"Only because you were secretly hoping for it," Emily reminded her. "I needed a nudge because well, Hotch is an Alpha male, you know?"
"We know," JJ and Penelope chorused.
"I could just take the boys and leave," Harry muttered.
"Chin up, and don't use puppy eyes," Garcia said. "I let you play in secret for a long while, didn't I?"
"Not long enough," Harry said. "Can I at least tell Aaron his team knows?"
"Not all the team," Emily said.
Harry shrugged, "You gals know, David does too."
"Morgan suspects and Reid just does not notice these things easily," JJ said.
"I'll text him later," Harry conceded.
"Oh! I like that place, let's go sit there!" Garcia said.
Prentiss was nodding. "I am craving a mocha hazelnut right about now."
"Boys," JJ said as she marched them to the coffee shop Penelope spotted.
Harry followed after them, sort of dragging his feet, half dreading and half eager for the interrogation that would follow.
"I received the most quirky text today," Aaron said. It was later on the same day Harry and the boys had gone out. The three had returned to the house to see Hotch there, a pleasant surprise for Jack in particular who run to his dad with glee. He had brought paperwork along to complete and had suggested that Jack could 'work' with him while Harry took Teddy to the kitchen to give the father and son duo some alone time and at the same time manage to make something light for dinner.
The BAU united chief had listened to both boys describing their day and how cool Henry was and not a baby like other kids and could they have him over more often?
Harry and Aaron shared a look at that.
"I'll ask JJ," Harry said. "She mentioned that she and Will were looking for some time alone. They want to give him a sister or brother, well, Will does and she's seriously considering."
Aaron paused mid bite. "Is that what you talked about all day?"
Harry took a sip of water. "Yes," he replied. He watched his lover take a bite, timing when he would say the next bit that was on the tip of his tongue. "After the terrible three finished asking me about our bedtime activities."
It worked like Harry had expected it to, Hotch choked.
"Harry!" he cried out when he could breathe properly again.
"Keep eating, Aaron is just being silly," the green eyed man told Jack and Teddy when they looked over.
"You did that on purpose," Hotch accused his lover.
"I did," Harry admitted. "Only because Garcia asked for details. Let me tell you now that your subordinates have very, very disturbingly perverted minds. And to that I wish to add that they were spot on for many things." By now Harry was blushing, recalling the teasing comments the women had made. It was reasonable to be curious, Harry supposed. SSA Hotchner and Harry's lover were two very different shades of the same man.
"Boys, just finish your plates," Aaron told the boys who shared a grin and started chewing again. "I'm getting back at you for this one," he the younger man.
"Looking forward to it," was the quick reply.
"Are you certain?"
"Very," Harry purred.
Aaron smirked. "You asked for it..."
Harry rolled his eyes and turned to Teddy. "I saw you pushing around those green beans."
"I don't like them," the young metamorphmagus whined.
"All of it or no dessert," Harry half warned half threatened. "I made cookies, the soft ones with the chocolate drops."
Teddy eyed his plate and with a put upon sigh he stabbed with his fork the dreaded 'greens' and started eating. As if taking his cue from him, Jack picked up his pace as well. Aaron and Harry shared a smirk unnoticed by the kids.
Dinner ended with little fan fair. It was two hours after the kids were put to bed, that Harry was carrying the folded laundry that Aaron took the basin from his hands and set it aside.
"It can wait till morning," Aaron commented before kissing the green eyed man against the corridor's wall. Harry practically melted against him, clutching at him. The FBI agent pulled away a bit. "Remember Harry, you've got to be quiet," he warned.
"Here?"
Aaron shook his head and let up enough to bring Harry to their shared bedroom, locking the door and pushing Harry against the door.
"What is it with you and hard surfaces?" the wizard muttered as he pounced back, with equal fervour.
Their kisses were hurried, passion and lust taking control of them both. Aaron tugged at the blouse Harry wore rather harshly, pulling it off and kissing the green eyed man again. They had no particular order while they undressed, just a hurried urgency that sent their clothes flying and made them handle each other a bit more roughly than usual, but both men loved every minute of this. Often enough, in the beginning of their relationship Harry had to remind Aaron several times that he would not break if he was held tighter or thrown onto the bed and slammed against the wall in the heat of the moment. It was an even bigger battle to convince Aaron that he did not mind reminders of the times they had sex; love bites, scratches, or the marks from that one time they put Aaron's FBI issued handcuffs to use when the boys were out at a party.
"Turn around," Aaron demanded and the green eyed wizard shivered a bit at the tone his lover used. He was quick to comply, bracing himself against the wall even as the other man walked briefly away from him. When Aaron returned with a tube and a foil package Harry grinned.
"Hard and fast?"
"However I feel like it," the dark eyed man replied and placed his hands on Harry's shoulders. "Don't make a sound," he warned and his mouth met the skin of the wizard's back.
His mouth and hands caressed and lingered on the muscled back and slowly Hotch started trailing downwards, hands going further than his mouth, till he was cupping Harry's buttock and squeezing hard, kneading them. A soft gasp was all the noise Harry made. It made Aaron smile and plot on what to do next. Making Harry reach his orgasm was always a sight to see. Using his mouth on the green eyed man was one of Aaron's favourites now. But before he was to do that... He slicked his fingers well before he set about preparing his lover. While his right hand was busy teasing Harry's entrance, getting him ready and stretched, the other was fondling Harry's hardness, succeeding in keeping him aroused.
Once or twice the green eyed man made a keening voice, wanting more from his lover, but Hotch would just tweak a nipple and nip on his shoulder as a reprimand and then still his fingers, the ones slowly scissoring inside the wizard to stretch him.
When he finally entered Harry, the green eyed man made a noise from deep in his throat, just barely muffled by his own hands. Aaron stilled, heart thundering in his chest as he waited for Harry to adjust before he started moving, slowly the first couple of times, but building his tempo till he did what he had promised the younger man he would do. Whenever a moan of pleasure escaped Harry's lips, Aaron stills his hips as much as he can, his whole body trembled as he did so, fighting the urge to just slam back inside and keep going. He could feel his younger lover trembling against him and his own knees tire out before he gave in, picking up the pace so that he could come. His groan while he released was muffled as he bit down on Harry's shoulder. There would be marks the next morning but at the moment neither man cared.
Aaron managed to stay on his feet after his orgasm, slowly slipping out of Harry, who protested at the loss. Gently than he had before, he manhandled the green eyed man to the bed, pushing him down and climbing on top of him.
"I've got you," he said, breath still irregular and his whole body sweaty and warm. Then he moved, taking Harry's weeping member in his mouth, ignoring the slight bitterness and doing what he knew would make his lover come undone.
"Merlin yes," Harry panted, his voiced hissed low.
Hotch bobbed his head again, taking him just a bit deeper but still not quite deep throating him. It made Harry's back arch and his hips thrust but Aaron pushed him back down and kept going. Until Harry came, biting his lip as his body trembled and he thrust a few more times in his lover's mouth.
They collapsed next to each other, Aaron quickly gathering Harry to him.
"We need to shower," Harry muttered against the other man's skin as soon as he got his breathing under control.
"Mmm."
"Are you falling asleep?"
"Mmm."
Harry sighed and pressed his face closer to Aaron's neck. "We'll be a mess in the morning."
"Don't care," Hotch whispered and kissed his temple.
Harry sighed and closed his eyes. "Missed this," he said even as he reached for the duvet, throwing it over them both with some pulling and tugging.
Aaron just pulled him closer. "Me too," he muttered and slowly fell asleep.
A week later and the meeting with the MGA was still a hot topic among Hotchner's team. Garcia had tried to find out more but there was nothing
"I find it odd, that's all I'm saying," Rossi commented. The BAU team was in the Bullpen, jittery and curious about the meeting that was going to happen in only minutes.
"Not even my baby girl could find anything on those guys," Derek remarked.
"Are you having a 'conspiracy theory' talk?" Reid asked.
"Not in the mood to hear facts and statistics, Pretty Boy," Morgan warned the younger man.
"Because you might actually be right," Spencer commented.
"I on the other hand just want to get this meeting over with," Prentiss said. "From Hotch's expression the case has to be big." JJ was nodding alongside of her.
"They're coming," Garcia said, hurrying to the team members.
Just on cue the elevator doors opened and Hotch stepped out.
"I know that guy," Reid remarked.
"He was here during that vampire case in LA," Derek agreed.
Hotch motioned for them to get up and they did just as the group of five approached.
"MG Agent Larry Donovan," he motioned to the man in question, "With him are Agents Josua Baker, Kathleen Wilson and Cynthia Carter, from the MGA. Meet my team," he pointed at each of the members.
Reid was busy observing the new comers. Donovan was just like Spencer remembered him, a bit on the short side, slim, with a dark brown hair and a moustache and bright violet blue eyes. Agent Baker was in his late thirties, around Derek's height, blond, brown-eyed with a small scar under his left eye and a bigger one on his left hand. The look on his face reminded the genius of the CIA agents they had met a few years back. Wilson looked about forty and she was in Reid's mind what the love child of Derek Morgan and Penelope Garcia could be; tall, chocolate-brown skin, short black hair and a mischievous smile to go with her neon pink glasses. Perhaps it was said glasses that made Spencer think that her eyes had a red glow but he dismissed it as a trick of the light. Lastly, Carter was petite, violent red hair and cold blue eyes, the youngest in her team in her late twenties.
"Pleasure to meet you," Donovan said, "Last time we were up against the clock and there was no time for introductions. Your team was also very accommodating." He turned to Hotch. "And Gibson talks highly of you."
"We met briefly but the feeling is mutual," Aaron commented. "Now, you mentioned that the case is big. Care to join us in our conference room?"
Aaron led the way and once they were seated, Agent Wilson distributed folders to each of the agents present.
"As you can see the first pages are photos of girls, ages ranging from fourteen to seventeen, most of them are US citizens but twenty out of eighty girls are European, mostly French and German," Agent Donovan commented. "All of them blonde with blue or light green eyes, perfect smiles, pale skin."
"They could be models," Prentiss commented.
"They are too beautiful," Morgan added with a frown.
"That's why they were taken," Baker replied.
"We are dealing with a trafficking," Wilson added soon after. "These girls are taken and auctioned off as slaves, sex slaves in particular. We first noticed the disappearances five years ago when the daughter of a diplomat nearly got snatched in the middle of London. She was lucky that another agent was nearby, family friend. The would be kidnappers were taken in, those of them that were not taken out that is."
"Which agent was that?" Rossi asked.
Donovan sighed. "Potter, he was in training at the time and knew the girl's sister. Gabrielle, the girl, was damn lucky. There were three men and one woman, Potter left only the woman and one of the men alive and our colleagues in London took them for questioning. We did not like what we find out."
"Modern slave trade," JJ whispered.
"What do you need our team for?" Hotch asked.
"Because we believe that the people responsible might be keeping the girls here in Virginia," Baker revealed.
"We received information that an auction is to take place in two weeks time," Carter said. "It's our priority to find the girls first, then the people responsible and get those willing to pay them for their... services."
"The payments are made as the transaction occurs," Donovan said. "They pay in gold and gems but on rare occasions they will trade the girls for other items, such as artwork, books and spirits."
"They barter over them?" Prentiss was aghast.
"That is an odd practice," Reid muttered. "Why though? Why only one type? Why those ages?"
The MGA agents shared a look between them.
"What is it?" Hotch asked. "Every detail counts.
"These girls," Agent Donovan started, "They're... special."
"How special?" JJ asked.
"They are part of a certain... minority," Baker tried to say.
"Are we talking about Nazis? They do fit the desirable profile of the Arians," Morgan commented.
"No, we are talking about Veela," Carter said.
There were blank looks coming from the Muggle's of the room. Then Reid jerked his head.
"I think I've heard the term before," Spencer said, gathering odd looks. "Veela... Like Sirens, right? My mom was a literature professor and around the time I was eleven she took part in a symposium. I recall that there was a part of the exhibit that rare books were displayed, old, worn books, bound with leather or linen, in Latin and Old English and Old French. They were documented stories of all the supernatural creatures people believed to live in Europe. We are talking about Arthurian legends, about dragons and mermaids and trolls. They made for fascinating reading."
"What about Veela then?" Rossi asked.
"Beautiful women, fair long hair like the sun and moon, pale eyes and paler skin," Spencer squinted a bit, his memory a bit foggy about the exact wording. It did not help the books had been in Latin and his skills at the language had not been ideal at the time. "They were said to be the sirens of the lands and forests, that they could bring men to their knees with lust for them. Their hair was used in potions to grant the drinker power. And a piece of their heart had other properties, I think longevity?"
"Yes, longevity and fertility," Wilson agreed.
"Are you saying that they have been hunted for their... parts?" Prentiss asked.
"Pretty much yes," Baker agreed. "We have all the information we could find, we have suspects, we have tips. We just need to find the common connection they all have."
"This is were you and your team come in. We need you to profile our suspects from what we know of their lives. We cannot just follow every single one of them," Donovan explained.
Hotch nodded. "How many suspects do you have?"
"Two hundred and seventy eight," Baker replied. "Some have been accused in the past; some are known sadists, some former law enforcement, politicians... We have everything you need, from their jobs to their hobbies to sexual preferences, everything."
"You need us to profile people we've never met," Rossi clarified.
Donovan cleared his throat. "Essentially, yes. Because at least one of them is responsible for ruining all those lives. Time is of essence here."
The BAU team shared looks between them.
"When do we start?" Aaron asked.
"We have the files downstairs," Donovan replied.
A week, that was how long Aaron was pulling long shifts in Quantico, not just him, if JJ's husband William LaMontagne was to be believed when he dropped Henry off for a play date with the boys. Harry knew that the entire BAU team under Hotchner was working fourteen hour shifts each day and that they were mostly in their Quantico offices, poring over files of information. The first sign about what was going on he got it when one day, Aaron came home early, bringing along three large boxes full of documents. When Jack and Teddy were asleep he cracked them open. The green-eyed wizard had just made some coffee when he saw the files opened on Hotch's desk. His gaze lingered over the pictures. The features were unmistakable. The girl in question was a Veela, Harry could spot one easily, even from a picture; he did not need the allure to tell.
And Hotch noticed him staring. "This is my newest case," he carefully supplied. He recalled how his wife used to act when his cases were mentioned. Haley hated knowing the more intimate details and the gruesome side of his work. Harry had expressed interest once or twice in the past. It was not just empty words like 'How was your day?' or 'Do you want to talk about it?' or even 'What can I do to help' when a case was bad or they lost people to the criminals they chased after.
"Can you talk about it?" Harry asked, eyed never straying from the file.
"Human trafficking," Hotch replied. He hesitated a second and then relayed to Harry some of the case details, like the number of girls missing, the fact that BAU and MGA were on this case together, the fact that these women were used as slaves and organ donors. "The profile is everywhere at once," Aaron said. "So many aspects, very little time."
Harry bit his lip. "Veela," he said.
Aaron looked up. "How do you know that word?" he asked.
"Question is, what exactly do you know about Veela?" the wizard countered with his own question.
"Reid recognized the term."
Harry cocked his head to the side. "That boy sure reads a lot," he muttered. He flipped a page from the file and Aaron let him. "Are you trying to find them?"
"Yes, there's an auction coming soon and we need to make it before that deadline."
"I hope you do."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, just... Find those girls, soon."
"We are trying to do that but the leads are slim," Aaron admitted.
"Ask the bank to help," Harry replied.
The FBI agent blinked. "The bank?"
"Kingsley, a friend back home, he was in a task force along with another guy who was so paranoid you would not believe. He went by Mad-Eye."
"That's... and odd choice for a nickname."
Harry smiled. "Understatement that one. Anyway, they had a similar case. I remember them telling me once."
"They just told you about the case?" Aaron asked, dubious about it.
"We were out for drinks with Kingsley and a woman came up to him. She was gorgeous, in her thirties with a belly about to pop. She remembered him getting her out of that place just before they... Anyway, Kingsley mentioned the case after she was gone. I remember he mentioned that they got the banks to track down the suppliers who were into trafficking the body parts and the ones in charge of making the concoctions from the Veela parts."
Aaron stared. "There are places that do that?" he asked. "Where?" he was already reaching for a pen and a paper.
Harry frowned. "Back in the UK there was a place like that, two brothers, one had a shop in London and the other worked from Amsterdam. They were an apothecary that specialized in beauty products and the like. I'm willing to bet that if you mention this much to those MGA agents they will dig up the rest." He took a step back, feeling that he had done his part. If he mentioned anything more Aaron would get even more suspicious than he was now and that would be problematic for the wizard. It was a problem, hiding so many things, holding so many secrets.
Thankfully Aaron did not press for more information although it was obvious he wanted to ask many questions. He seemed to sense that Harry was not going to be forthcoming with his answers and preferred not to be lied to.
"Do you mind if I brainstorm with the rest of the team?"
The green-eyed man smiled and shook his head. "No, go ahead, every second counts, right?"
Aaron nodded in agreement.
"I'll put more coffee on," Harry responded and gave the agent some privacy.
"Brilliant idea!" Rossi enthused when the BAU team gathered the next morning.
"Penelope is searching the information as we speak, Agent Carter arrived early and brought a list of establishments and contact numbers than we did not have on file," Derek added. "We have nothing so far."
"And the bank connection actually paid off," Prentiss remarked. "Gringotts Holdings based in Switzerland and has branches in every major capital of the world. I asked a few friends of mine in Interpol, they are pretty exclusive but whenever a client of theirs is involved in slave trade..." She whistled a bit. "They are quick to offer information like you would not believe."
"That's Gringotts for you," Agent Donovan replied as he walked over to the group gathered around the meeting room table.
"I would have thought they might try to protect their clients more," Rossi remarked.
Donovan smirked, his odd coloured eyes glinting. "Oh, they protect their clients' interests and assets, but slave trade? One thing they won't abide by. You could be a criminal on the run, a dictator, a murderer; they will keep their mouths shut. But trying to sell people as slaves and kids in particular..." he shook his head. "That's one line they won't cross."
"Nice of them," Rossi remarked with a grimace.
"Well, works better for us," Prentiss muttered. She presented Hotch with the papers she had carried. "I gave a copy to Garcia, she's cross referencing as we speak."
Aaron took the papers. "What is it?"
"The bank accounts our suspects might have in those banks. They even flagged the suspicious activity."
Hotch checked the paper again.
"Sir! Sir!"
They all looked up when Garcia and Carter walked in, the blonde technical analyst in a hurry. The rest of the BAU and MGA task force members trickled in from the bullpen, all looking interested.
"What is it baby girl?" Morgan asked her.
"We got two possible matches," Garcia said. "One Richard Miller, age fifty-two, permanent London resident, got into the country two months ago and rented a warehouse down by the docks. He received twice this month deposits in his account, fifty thousand British pounds each. And the other is Owen Palmer-Higgs; he arrived in Virginia last week. The same movement in his accounts. Both these men have apothecaries, the first in London, the former in Dublin. And, wait for it, I give you one Muriel Brown, this one is a US citizen and local, she owns an apothecary and reviewed payments from the two previous gentlemen. Get this; her specialities are youth serum for women."
Donovan eyed Carter. "Anything else on them?"
"Yes sir," the witch nodded. "Both men have been arrested in Europe, Higgs was also in Azkaban for a short while, charged for assault but the charges did not stick. The local law enforcement had him tagged and he was not allowed within a mile of any schools there. Back in the nineties he had been suspected for kidnapping but they never found the girl."
"No body no evidence," Reid commented.
"Well, now we have a paper trail," Aaron said.
"We are setting up detail then?" Donovan asked the team leader.
"They must visit the girls, if only to feed them. And there must be others involved in this," Baker said.
"I want to know everywhere they go, everyone they speak to, everything they have on their names," Hotch told Garcia. "We will get them but first we need to rescue those girls; we're running out of time. We need to act fast and efficiently." He was firm the time he laid out a strategy, taking input from every member of the team and listening to all suggestions by agent Donovan.
Later, as the room cleared, the team leader of the MGA group walked up to Aaron's side.
"Hotch, may I have a moment?" he asked.
"Sure," the FBI agent replied.
"The idea you presented..."
"It reminded you of a previous case?"
Donovan smiled. "You've heard of it? I take it was Agent Gibson's charge?"
"He recognized the victimology," Hotch stated. "It was a lucky break. Usually the route of using banks is closed to us."
"Not just any bank, Hotch," Donovan said.
"What is so special about Gringotts?" Because I've heard of various banking groups and this one? Not a peep."
"Is this the only unsettling things about this case?" the wizard hedged.
"Point taken."
"You're not going to ask."
Aaron meanwhile had gathered his papers and stood to leave. "I want to ask," he admitted. "And I bet Harry has plenty of answers, more than what you could give me."
"But you won't," Donovan said.
"But I won't," Aaron agreed. "Because I have a feeling that the timing just isn't right. Not yet. Soon though it will be."
"You're a good guy," the lilac eyed man remarked and left the room first.
Jack was sniffling and cradling his elbow. The skin was broken and some blood trickled from the gashes. Teddy stared at the wound, horrified at what happened just moments before. The playground was loud, laughter and children's voices all around apart from the little circle around Teddy and Jack. The two boys had been playing together along with a boy from the class, one Peter Thomson but then four other classmates showed up and started calling Peter's mom mean names. Peter had run away crying but Jack had gotten angry at the boys. He had not lashed out to hurt them; he had just made a comment, mentioning that it was not nice speaking with bad words about someone's mother. It was what got him kicked twice and pushed to the ground.
Teddy had tried getting in front of him, saving him but he had been held back. The young metamorphmagus knew that he could push them off easily, he was stronger than Muggle kids and even magical kids due to his daddy being a wolf, Harry told him so. But his godfather also told him not to show off on purpose and not to act in a way that might hurt someone. Still, the green-eyed wizard had told Teddy one more thing: always protect those you love. But before he could act on it something happened.
The blond boy was eyeing his bullies with a hurt look that quickly turned into a glare when they started to face Teddy and before he could be their next target, Jack grabbed Teddy's hand and the younger Hotchner blinked. The second his eyes opened he found himself on top of the school's roof, Teddy clutching his arm.
Jack gasped and pulled further back. "What...? How?" the boy was looking confused and a bit scared.
Teddy just grinned. He turned to face Jack and hugged the blond child to him. "That was wicked!" he cheered and hung on to a confused Jack.
"We're on the roof," Aaron's son said.
Teddy nodded while grinning like a loon. "I can only levitate things and change colours and animate them but you did what Harry and my Gran can do. That was soooo cool!" the metamorphmagus cheered again, and slowly a smile started forming on Jack's face.
"It was?"
"Of course! You're magic like I am!"
"I get a wand?" Jack asked.
"Of course! Harry will take us to Ollivander's," Teddy said. "That's back home, in Diagon Alley," the dark haired boy said. He was on a roll, happy that now Jack could know more things about him and magic and how cool Harry was and now Jack could see Hogwarts and learn all the secrets and maybe he would like how Teddy's hair changed colour.
"We're up on the roof," Jack repeated and Teddy paled.
"Harry's going to be so mad," the metamorphmagus groaned.
His words were prophetic in a way because twenty minutes later the teachers had tracked them down. There was a lot of yelling involved, though they did also appear miffed about how the two kids ended up on the roof when the door leading up there was locked. They had informed the two boys that were seated outside the principal's office that their guardian was on his way.
End of chapter.