I own nothing from Criminal Minds or Harry Potter other than the plot.
Chapter Two
Things were not going well for Aaron Hotchner.
He had his hopes high as he woke on the day of departure, rising to a sunny morning. He had continued his morning rituals just as he would on any other day, wearing a crisp black suit and grey tie and clean shaven. He had poured himself a large cup of coffee and sipped at it while reading through the general outline of the impending trip, irritated at the lack of detail on the two weeks. He refused to let that bother him however, sliding in to the taxi that he had called to take him directly to the airport, not wanting to leave his car there for the two weeks. He had been disappointed that JJ was unable to meet up with him earlier for coffee but knew that she was just as stressed as he was with the trip. He thought back to their day off yesterday, still concerned about her stress levels.
"What if this is just her way of testing us?" JJ asked, pacing across the small width of his kitchen.
Aaron leaned back against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed over his chest, "It's highly unlikely JJ. I've already had Garcia check into the request; we've officially been invited by a branch of Britain's Ministry." He reached out to stop her, resting his large hands on her shoulders lightly, "JJ, relax; if Strauss is trying to trick anyone it'll be me."
JJ shot him an irritated look, "If that's your attempt at making me feel better it didn't work." She grumbled under her breath, taking a step closer to lean against his strong body. She sighed as his arms wrapped around her, "What do you think about the whole magic thing?"
"I thought it was Gideon or Morgan somehow convincing Strauss to play a joke on me." He chuckled, the deep sound vibrating through JJ as she rested her head on his chest.
She couldn't help but laugh, "I think they know you better than to try and play a joke on you." She looked up at him with a smile, "That's something they'd leave for Reid."
Aaron laughed, "I was expecting some statistic or explanation for magic when he found out."
While the day had ended well with JJ staying until the late afternoon it wasn't until he got to the airport the next morning that things began to get even more stressful for the Unit Chief.
"Agent Hotchner, I'd like to introduce Agent Emily Prentiss. She'll be joining the BAU effective immediately." Strauss introduced, smiling victoriously at the immediate tension that flooded through Hotch.
Hotch refrained from sighing in frustration and instead studied the tall, intelligent young woman next to Strauss. She held a hand out to him which he accepted, "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." She said professionally.
"You're Ambassador Prentiss's daughter, correct?" He asked, recognizing the last name.
She smiled lightly, "Yes sir; I've been an Agent with the bureau for a couple of years now." They both seemed to sigh with relief as Strauss moved away from them to greet JJ upon her arrival with Garcia. "Is it too soon for me to stress my immense dislike for that woman?" Emily asked forwardly, glancing over her shoulder to make sure the woman was out of earshot.
Hotchner granted her a rare smile, deciding to give her a chance despite the timing of her arrival, "Trust me, you're not alone in your dislike but we'll keep that to ourselves." He smiled at JJ as she managed to move past Strauss glad to see that she was as calm as she looked, "Emily Prentiss this is our media liaison Jennifer Jureau."
"It's nice to meet you." Emily smiled, shaking her hand.
"Call me JJ, the rest of the team does." JJ told her, sending Hotch a questioning glance but she already knew who was responsible for the surprise addition to the team. As she passed him she couldn't refrain from reaching out to squeeze his hand reassuringly once she was certain no one was looking. He squeezed back, smiling at her appreciatively.
"And I'm Garcia or Tech Kitten as you will undoubtedly come to realise." Garcia grinned, shaking Emily's hand enthusiastically.
Emily laughed and greeted her; Garcia's optimism was infectious despite the looming presence of the Sector Chief. They filed on to the plane once they had gone through customs not bothering to wait for the three remaining members of their team knowing that they were all early. The three women took a seat together, using the time to quietly get to know each other. Strauss made no further comment to Hotch, taking a seat at the far end of the jet while Hotch took the seat next to JJ. Barely fifteen minutes had passed when Morgan, Reid and Gideon filed on to the plan, Reid protesting loudly at Morgan's insistence that he had taken the fastest route to the airport.
"Children, be quiet." JJ called to them, glancing up at them sternly.
Morgan grinned, sliding in to the seat on the other aisle, "And who might you be?" He asked looking at Emily.
"This is Agent Emily Prentiss; she's new to the team." Hotch introduced.
"Derek Morgan." Morgan introduced, smiling at her.
"Hi, I'm Emily Prentiss." She returned the smile looking at Reid.
"I'm Dr. Spencer Reid." Reid introduced.
Morgan chuckled, "He's our resident genius." He pointed at Gideon who had taken the seat opposite Hotch, "And that's Agent Jason Gideon."
Neither had a chance to greet each other, Strauss using that moment to stand in between the two groups, "Now that you are all acquainted, we can quickly summarise the intent of this trip." She said, silencing Morgan with a glare, "The British Ministry of Magic have offered to give us a tour and personal explanation of the different fields within their workforce. They're also going to give the events of recent activities within London that is normally withheld for obvious reason." She paused and continued after a few moments, "They have generously opened their homes for us; apparently this will be easier then organising a hotel."
Hotch shared a look with JJ; it was obvious to the two and the rest of the team that the Sector Chief was not happy or comfortable with this arrangement. With no more to say she returned to her place at the far end of the jet, setting an eye mask over her face and pulling down the curtain to get some sleep. Hotch couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before the bickering between Morgan and Garcia would irritate the woman to the point of breaking her posed facade.
Needless to say by the time they landed in London Strauss had not only become increasingly infuriated by the squabbling between Morgan and Reid but made it particularly clear by landing that their time interacting would occur only when necessary. Hotch shared a small smirk with JJ as Morgan and Reid slapped hands victoriously at Strauss announcement that she would be meeting up with them later, needing to book in to the hotel she had gotten a room for.
They followed Strauss outside the busy airport, the team wanting nothing more than to head back to wherever they were staying and falling asleep but the bright sun reminded them of the new time zone and none wanted to disrupt their sleeping patterns. Outside Strauss greeted a small party of three who the team assumed where wizards. Hotch studied the people in front of him, surprised at how young each of them looked, no older than twenty five he predicted.
"This is the BAU team, the Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner. Agent Hotchner this is Harry Potter." Strauss introduced, her eyes narrowed warningly at the tall agent.
He stepped forward and held out his hand, not about to treat the young man in front of him any different then he would anyone else, "Aaron Hotchner."
"Hi, I'm Harry Potter." Harry introduced himself with a small smile, his British accent strong. "I know this is extremely weird but as soon as we get to the Ministry you'll get more than enough proof of magic." He said reassuringly, reading the scepticism on the teams faces. "We've got three cars to take you; three of you in each car." He continued as he began to lead them towards three black sedans.
"Harry, maybe we should have gotten Hermione to be a driver." One of the wizards piped up when they got to the cars. "I wouldn't want anyone getting in to a car with Ron after second year."
Two of them snickered while a redhead wizard blushed and glared at them, "Shut up Fred."
"I still have nightmares about Mom's voice." Fred continued with a shudder and then snickered at Ron's expression.
"Sod off Fred." Ron snapped. "And if I remember correctly you didn't go to well driving it either. At least I didn't land on a pig."
Fred smiled wickedly, "At least I didn't crash it in to the whomping willow and have it escape in to the Forbidden Forest."
"And snap your wand in the process." Harry added.
The team couldn't help but watch the conversation with wide eyes, all silently wondering how the three young adults in front of them were wizards and wondering even more how they were chosen to be the first representations of the magical world the team were shown. They stopped when they were next to the cars, the three still bickering at each other and the team finally took the chance to study them.
Harry was the first that they noticed, just under six foot and had black hair that looked as though he'd just rolled out of bed. His bright green eyes were framed with round glasses and despite his messy hair the lightning bolt scar on his forehead was distinctly noticeable to the team. While he was lean he was by no means as thin as Reid. Ron and Fred were undoubtedly siblings; both had near identical flaming red hair. Both were taller than Harry by a few inches although Fred was taller than Ron. Both had blue eyes and freckles dusted under their eyes.
"Alright so who's going with whom?" Fred asked, clapping his hands and grinning.
When no one spoke up Garcia grinned back and stepped up, dragging Morgan who grabbed Reid, "Well, we'll go with red head number one." She announced, smacking Reid when he began to say something.
Ron snickered at Fred's pout but stopped when Strauss stepped up to him, "Mr. Weasley is it?" At Ron's reluctant nod she continued, "Agent Gideon, Prentiss and I will go with you."
Harry turned to Hotch and JJ smiling, "Looks like you two are with me. Let's go and Ron, for Merlin sake, no trying to race Fred." He shouted for effect, grinning at Strauss's narrowed eyes.
When JJ and Hotch got in the car Harry snickered, "Is she always so stuck up?" He asked looking back in the review mirror at the two agents.
"You have no idea." JJ said, finally relaxing now that Strauss was no longer breathing down their necks. "So how long have you been a wizard?" She asked curious.
Harry grinned, "It's kind of a since birth thing. Except I found out when I turned eleven; that's the age for going to school." He explained.
Hotch eyed him carefully, "Why were you chosen to pick us up from the airport?" He asked after a moment.
"Since it was my idea that you guys come here I figured I'd be the one to introduce you to everything. That and I'm head of the Auror department I figured it would be best." Harry shrugged.
"The auror department?" JJ asked, frowning slightly.
"It's our version of a police department except we catch bad wizards." Harry explained, pulling up in to a parking spot. "Now I know it's all weird but please don't faint when we get inside." He said almost pleadingly. "Fred and George, Fred's twin brother, have been betting that more than half of you are going to faint and Ron bet that none of you will considering you all make a living out of catching serial killers. So please don't faint."
JJ and Hotch stared at him for a moment before JJ laughed, "Got it, no fainting."
Harry smiled and got out of the car, opening the door before helping them with their suitcases. Before JJ and Hotch could take theirs they disappeared, and Harry smirked at them. "Don't worry they've just been taken to my place. You're staying with me by the way." He said with a grin, ushering them over and in to a phone booth.
It was then that Hotch and JJ looked at him like he was crazy, "I'm not sure how you wizards do things but this is a phone booth." JJ said slowly, looking at him as though he were crazy.
"Harry Potter, Head Auror. Visitors are Aaron Hotchner and Jennifer Jureau with the FBI." Harry spoke in to the phone. Moments later three badges fell from the coin collection and JJ grabbed Hotch as the phone booth began to move. "It's all right; this is just the muggle access to the ministry."
"What's a muggle?" Hotch asked, squeezing JJ's hand reassuringly.
Harry looked at them sheepishly, "Sorry, a muggle is our word for non-magic humans. You'll probably hear it a bit."
When the phone booth stopped Harry opened the door, leading them out to what they assumed was the ministry of magic. JJ and Hotch stared in shock at the busy world that was underneath London, amazed by the flying letters and owls and staying calm even when they saw people appearing in fireplaces.
"That's the floo network." Harry explained, pointing to the fireplaces, "You have this special powder that allows us to travel from fire place to fireplace. You stand in, shout the place you want to go and it'll take you." He grimaced, "In my opinion it's the worst way to travel and unless you really want to experience it I'm not going to be letting you travel through it."
"I'll pass." JJ said quickly, wrinkling her nose at the soot and dust that covered the majority of wizards and witches travelling by floo. "It doesn't look particularly comfortable."
"You have no idea." Harry muttered, "If you don't say the place clearly you could end up anywhere."
"That's really reassuring." Hotch said sarcastically. While he had been doubtful of the magical world before he was definitely convinced now however the wizards and witches staring at the small group was beginning to make him more and more uncomfortable. "Is there a reason they're staring at us?"
Harry grimaced, "It's not you; they're looking at me." Annoyance coloured his tone as well as embarrassment, "You'll learn quick enough that I'm kind of...er...famous in the wizarding world." He explained with a sigh.
"HARRY POTTER!"
Harry winced as his voice rang out clearly from one of the apparation points, turning his head along with Hotch and JJ to the source of the shout. A short woman stormed over to them, her long brown hair pulled back in to a loose bun, her fringe tucked behind her ears, and her hazel eyes glaring at Harry.
"Did you or did you not let Ronald drive the Section Chief of the FBI through London?" The woman asked lowering her voice when she realised people were listening in though the level of rage did not waver.
Harry squirmed under the woman's gaze, "Well it was either with him or Fred." He said defensively, holding his hands up in a surrender motion.
"What is wrong with you? Have you forgotten second year when he drove in to the whomping willow? And when he snapped his wand?" The woman exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air exasperated.
"Well technically he didn't drive in to the whomping willow; he flew in to it." Harry pointed out and yelped when she smacked him, "Hermione why don't you say hello to the Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner of the BAU."
The woman – Hermione – halted her slapping and turned to smile politely at the two FBI agents, "Hello I'm Hermione Granger." She introduced smiling and held out her hand.
"Aaron Hotchner." He introduced, barely managing to contain his laughter.
"Jennifer Jureau but please, call me JJ." She smiled, shaking Hermione's hand.
"Gees Hermione; how rude of you to just ignore them." Harry teased and shrank away when Hermione glared at him. "Oh look Ron's here. Go yell at him." Harry said pointing at the rest of the group.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, "Don't think you're getting out of this Harry. I highly doubt Ginny would have a problem with cursing you."
"Why would Ginny curse me over Ron driving people?" Harry shot back.
Hermione smirked, "Oh she wouldn't care about that but she would care about the fact that instead of helping her deal with her mother fussing over her, you were playing Quidditch with her brothers."
"You do that and I'll tell Collin that you want to hire him as the Ministry's photographer." Harry retorted, crossing his arms victoriously when she flinched.
"You wouldn't dare." She challenged, placing her hands on her hips.
Harry smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "And you'll never hear the end about how you went to Hogwarts with him and how you were both petrified by the Basilisk. I think at some point he may even regain the courage to start asking you out again. Just think about that." He snickered as she groaned and rested her head on his shoulder.
"That's just cruel. How would you feel if I hired Cho as your assistant?" Hermione whined.
Harry snorted, "I'd send her off to help with Ron and we both know that's torture in its truest form."
"Are you two always like this?" JJ interrupted, having spent the past few minutes watching the conversation fly back and forth.
Hermione smiled, "Oh this is nothing; wait until Ron does something to annoy me."
"It's pretty hard to miss when she's angry with him." Harry grinned. "And since you guys are going to be living with us while you're here I'm sure you'll get a chance to witness it at least once."
A/N just so you know JJ isn't Garcia's sister. I think that was a mistake in Chapter One. Hope you all like; read and review.