The invitation that landed on SSA Aaron Hotchner's desk seemed insignificant at first. When the man began going through that morning's paperwork, he almost missed the envelope, but the wax seal (of all things) on the back caught his attention, and with a gentle furrow of the brow he inspected it for a moment before opening it, leaning back in his desk.
Dear SSA Aaron Hotchner,
You and your team (Dr Spencer Reid, SSAs Elle Greenaway, Jason Gideon, Derek Morgan, and Jennifer Jareau and Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia) have been cordially invited to attend the fifth annual Célébration du Service for your contributions and efforts to bring justice and protect the people.
Though still in its infancy, the Célébration du Service is held every year to celebrate the countless individuals around the globe that work tirelessly for others, be they charities, governmental departments, or civilians that have put the lives of others and the pursuit of justice at the forefront of their lives.
The event will be held at a secret location to preserve the privacy of the individuals and to discourage media attention; it is our aim to celebrate those working not for fame or notoriety, but for others. As such, transport will be provided for your team at the date and time below if you choose to RSVP in the affirmative. Please provide the preferred location that your team would like to be escorted from.
The dress code for the event will be black tie, examples of suitable dress have been included in the instance that anybody is unfamiliar with formal dress rules.
We hope to receive your response soon,
H.J.G
Founder, Célébration du Service
Hotchner let out a deep breath, playing with the edge of the thick card stock, looking over at the hand-written but impeccable calligraphy. Was this invitation even real? He would have to get Garcia on it.
Striding out the door, Hotchner called his team over to brief them on the invitation.
"Sir?" JJ asked, sliding into her seat beside Garcia.
"I received an invitation today for us all, to attend an event. First of all, Garcia, I want you to check if this invitation is even legitimate."
"On it, Boss Man." Penelope smiled, taking the invitation from Hotchner's outstretched hand, scanning over it before handing it to Jennifer to read aloud, tapping away on her laptop.
"Wait, a formal event? Like, suits and ball gowns?" Elle asked, eyebrow quirked.
"Actually, black tie suggests a very formal event, as Black tie is a semi-formal Western dress code for evening events, originating in British and American conventions for attire in the 19th century. It actually refers to-"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it, very formal, posh suits etcetera." Derek cut off the young doctor, who had a peculiar nervous energy about him. Or, more so that usual. Gideon grinned widely.
"It's not only fancy, it's supposed to be a once in a lifetime sort of event. The upper middle class would be fighting for a chance at a black tie event. Aside from white tie events, it's the biggest status symbol."
"Well, if that's the case and it is legit, sign me up!" JJ and Elle shared a grin.
"Garcia?" Hotch called to the tech analyst, who looked up at him with a smile.
"It's legit! Though paparazzi aren't allowed at the event, there is a formal photographer to release official photos onto the event's website and to the presses. Last year the people consisted primarily of independent charity workers, top surgeons and scientists from around the world, a counter terrorism group from Scotland Yard, and even a few celebrities that have been known for their humanitarian work!" Garcia seemed to bounce around in excitement, showing the team her findings. The level of dress was astounding, from the most beautiful gowns to the most dapper of suits.
"Well then, team?" Hotch asked, somewhat unwilling to make the decision himself. "Do I accept and book the transport to arrive at the building?"
"Sir, if you don't, you will have three angry women on your team." Elle smiled, waving a hand to JJ, Garcia, and then herself. "Come on, don't you think we deserve a bit of recognition? Morgan? You could see if your charm can fluster a beautiful rich humanitarian?" She winked at the agent who smirked rather than reply, and nodded to Hotchner. His gaze shifted to Gideon next.
"I think it would be a fantastic opportunity. We all deserve a break I think."
"Reid?"
"I-well, yeah. Sure. Sounds good." Reid nodded, and everybody on the team picked up the strange energy he exuded.
"You sure?" Garcia asked, and the young doctor nodded with a small smile.
"Well then," Hotch smiled faintly, rising from his seat. "I guess I have an RSVP to fill out. They have provided a list of places to find suitable outfits from, make sure to go as soon as possible to select the wear and get it properly tailored. We need to represent the BAU in the best light possible. Everybody's dismissed for the day unless it's an emergency."
As Hotchner left everybody to head back to his office, Jason Gideon's hand on his shoulder gave him pause.
"Spencer seems nervous." Gideon murmured gently, and Hotch spared a glance back and the man hovering around, a small smile on his face as his friends and co-workers chatted excitedly, cleaning up their spaces to go and shop for clothing together.
"He said he was fine with it. I'm sure that if he was really worried he would say something." Hotch responded, shrugging Gideon's concerns away.
That being said, the agent knew he and everybody else would be keeping an eye on the young genius.
.
Since they had received the invitation, it seemed like the only thing anybody could talk about, and when the day finally arrived, the atmosphere seemed charged with excitement.
Spencer had ignored all the concerned looks and probing questions the past few weeks. Everybody seemed to think he was nervous, and whilst they were right to an extent, it was not for the reasons they had assumed. (Though he didn't blame them, they of course had no idea.) Even now, as they waited for their transport, dressed in their finery (and really, everybody put their all into looking as good and as formal as possible,) Spencer could feel everybody's eyes darting towards him every so often.
Until, of course, the sleek and shiny limousine arrived to pick them up, pulling up outside of the building with a suited driver greeting the team and opening the doors.
Garcia, practically vibrating with energy entered first, pulling JJ and Elle in with her, Morgan chuckling behind as he clambered in. Hotchner entered next with a lot more decorum than the others, though the small sparkle in his eyes showed that he felt more relaxed and excited than he would ever admit to himself, let alone anybody else.
"You sure you're going to be okay at this event, Dr Reid?" Gideon asked gently as Spencer moved to climb into the vehicle.
"I'm sure, Gideon. Really. I know everybody's concerned, but-"
"We're just concerned for you."
"I know. Thank you. But I promise I'll be fine and if I need to get some air I will do." Spencer's mentor smiled at him and nodded once before clapping him on his shoulder.
"Well then, let's get this show on the road!"
.
The drive was a gentle hubbub of conversation, which Spencer was happy to sit at the fringes of, entering every now and then for a comment of his own, but he preferred the comforting feeling of the noise washing over him. The drive was long, taking them out of the city into the countryside, which Spencer could tell as the noises from the city grew quieter and the roads began to wind more and more. Eventually, the car rolled to a gentle stop, and the driver opened the door for them.
It was beautiful.
Embraced by the forest, a beautiful marble manor rested, the golden hue of the lights shining all around, whether from behind the windows of the building, with its gleaming columns and carved spandrels, to the gently glowing lights placed around the grounds, carving a pathway from the team. They made their way over to an attendee, Hotchner handing over the invitation. The attendee looked at a chart in his hands before nodding, waving them through to the ballroom with a welcome and immediately they were set upon by a waiter with champagne.
"I feel rich and decadent as hell!" Garcia whispered, and Spencer held back his own smile. The group slowly moved over to the photographers, who were taking both grouped and singular photos of everybody, and then began making their way through the crowds.
The evening started with a formal dinner, but surprisingly enough, the host hadn't made their own entrance yet. Instead, they were introduced to a plethora of people from all walks of life, spending the evening talking amongst themselves and with others as the meal broke up and people began to wander around making friends.
Nobody even noticed it when Spencer walked off with purpose.
.
A loud ringing sound pealed out from the top of the staircase that rested at the centre of the ballroom, and everybody came back together, the whole room seemingly standing and moving to the base of the stairs.
"Welcome, one and all, to the fifth annual Célébration du Service!" A suited attendant cried out to raucous applause.
"Where's Reid?" Elle asked, and everybody's eyes began darting around in concern.
"He'll be alright, he's probably getting some air." Derek responded, though his eyes shone with a hint of concern themselves.
"We hope you have all had a lovely evening so far. Please, raise a glass and welcome your host for this evening, Doctor Hermione Granger!"
The heavily gilded doors at the top of the stairs swung open, and Penelope Garcia had to pick her jaw up off the floor.
"That is…" JJ trailed off, her lips parted slightly in shock.
"The most beautiful woman I have ever met." Penelope finished, and she could hear everybody in the room mutter their own sounds of shock and awe.
Hermione Granger stood at the top of the stairs. Dressed in a rich ballgown, she was positively dripping with diamonds and sapphires, swirling and twinkling against the darkest blue velvet and tulle, similar jewels hanging from her ears and neck. The cut of the dress, from the off-shoulder long sleeves to the deep sweetheart neckline and the layers of embroidered and jeweled tulle, screamed wealth, royalty and pure magic.
"Hello, one and all." The woman started, a surprisingly warm and deep voice rang out in perfect received pronunciation English.
"I know there have been many questions as to where I have been this evening. The Célébration du Service was created five years ago by myself to celebrate people like you. Many of you put your lives on the line every day, and all of you put justice and the lives of others ahead of your own. This event is not for me, but for you." Hermione Granger's words rang out into the silence, everybody paying rapt attention. Penelope's eyes shined brightly, her heart warm.
"None of you have ever sought to gain from your actions, all of you have been driven by the passion and courage it takes to serve and protect others, whether it be fighting corporations, performing the most difficult of surgeries, or putting your life on the line against criminals. You deserve to be celebrated, to not be forgotten, and, for at least one night, celebrate your achievements." Applause rang out amongst the crowd, the BAU among them.
"The tables are being cleared away and the band is ready to go, I hope you will all enjoy the rest of your night and allow me the honour of leading you all into the first dance." Hermione seemed to float down the stairs as the strings of a small orchestra began to fill the air, stopping at the base and holding her arm out for-
"Reid?" Elle gasped, and Penelope's mouth dropped for a second time.
The BAU's eyes were glued to the dapper looking Spencer Reid, their very own genius, guiding Hermione to the centre of the dance floor with what seemed like practiced ease.
"I never knew he could dance like that!" JJ murmured.
"I never knew he knew a girl like that." Morgan retorted.
"We'll get answers out of him later," Hotchner said, his eyebrows climbing down from his hairline.
.
Spencer could feel the eyes of his team on his back even as he spun Hermione around, though presently, he couldn't care less.
"You okay?" Hermione smiled gently, and Spencer nodded, spinning her out and then back into his gentle embrace.
"My team is probably going through shock right now," He grinned, his smile deepening as Hermione laughed richly.
"Well, love, are you all that surprised?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure whether I should be offended that they don't think we could know each other or not."
"Well, you haven't exactly been forthcoming with them, have you?" Hermione raised an eyebrow and smirked as Spencer's cheeks heated up brightly.
"Yeah-well-I-um-" Hermione laughed again, more softly this time, pulling herself closer to Spencer for a moment and whispering in his ear.
"I'm just teasing you, sweetheart." Spencer chuckled wryly, dipping Hermione low suddenly and leaning in close to whisper back.
"You tease me all the time, woman." As he pulled Hermione back up he tugged her closer, the heady and sultry scent of her perfume filling his lungs.
"You love it when I tease you," Hermione quipped, and Spencer felt like his own heartbeat would burst out of its chest.
"I just love you," He whispered gently, earnestly. The brightness of Hermione's smile, of her eyes, shook Spencer to his very core. She made him feel like starlight, and by all accounts that shouldn't even be possible.
"I love you, too." Hermione whispered, her hand sliding from its place on Spencer's shoulder to cup his cheek, stroking it with her thumb gently.
"I love you so much, my silly, sweet doctor."
"And I you, my wild, wonderful doctor."
And suddenly, her lips were on his and, like every time they kissed, Spencer felt invincible.
.
At the end of the night, Spencer would take Hermione and introduce her as his girlfriend and best friend to the team. He would be teased for days, in the loving nature that family are wont to do, and as their relationship blossomed so did Hermione's friendships with the BAU. They became a family, even as the team changed, the family just grew and grew.
Eventually, Hermione told Spencer all about magic. That evening, after lots of talking and evidence that yes, magic is real and no, he's not going crazy, and yes, she still loved him more than anything and he loved her more than anything. he proposed. Three weeks later, they told their found family about both the secret world they'd been surrounded by, Hermione's past, and their engagement.
The road wasn't easy, but it was long and wonderful, for every shadow there was a light, and everybody in their found family was there for every family meal, every event, every holiday and birthday and, when Spencer held his first child Diana Ophelia Reid, her body so incredibly tiny in his arms, a tired but joyful Hermione resting in the bed, his family flooded the hospital room with congratulations and cooing and gifts and love. He passed Diana over to Penelope first, his hand moving to hold Hermione's, and Spencer knew that every bad thing that he had experienced in his life was worth it, for there were an infinite number of moments like this.