"Physics Magic"
Book One - Chapter One
Harry looked around at his team, feeling himself relax as he watched them interact with one another. Luna and Hermione were off to one side, the latter explaining a few basic muggle terms to the first. Ron was with Neville, the both of them mumbling about Quidditch. After the girls had gone to bed the night before, Harry had told them a few key muggle rules, and they were already up to date.
There had been some ‘man things’ involved in that discussion - not just muggle terms, but American ones too, ones that Neville an Ron would never understand - and he hadn’t wanted to say a few…key words…in front of the women. Thankfully they had retired early enough that the ‘men’ had been able to have a nice, long talk.
He was pulled from his thoughts by someone clearing their throat. He looked up to stare at the local head of the police, who was watching them with cautious eyes. The officer - Bradley, perhaps? He couldn’t remember what the man had said his name was - was giving them cautious looks.
When they had first shown up to introduce themselves as the head DA team, the man had given them a dubious look. He hadn’t known any of their names, but Hermione had the paper work to back up their story. After deliberating for a few long moments, the man had made a phone call. Percy had already taken care of all the higher authorities. As far as the muggle government was concerned, Harry Potter had played a vital role in their politics for years.
The officer had then looked ashamed of himself as he led them into a conference room.
“How can we help you?” It was Hermione who responded, all sweet smiles and innocent looks, as the rest of her team shuffled around. Talking to muggles was never an easy thing to do, when you hadn’t been raised with them.
“We just got a call. The BAU is going to be here soon.” The man said, although still addressing Harry. The dark haired wizard eyed the officer’s nametag, mentally shaking his head.
No, not Bradley, Brady. He corrected himself internally, casting Brady a smile, even as Ron and Hermione’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Thank you officer. When they get here, just show them in. We’ll handle it from there.” He said in the most serious voice he could provide. “Thank you for your good work, and cooperation.” He added as an afterthought.
The man beamed at him, head bobbing eagerly as he nodded. “Thank you sir, it’s my pleasure.”
Hermione breathed out an angry huff when he was finally gone. “Talk about rude.”
Harry played innocent for a moment. “What do you mean Hermione? I thought he was absolutely charming.”
“Bugger off Harry. It isn’t funny! I’m the one whose been dealing with them this whole time, and they can’t look me in the eyes!” The brunette growled.
Luna sighed softly, her dreamy, lilting voice coming to the rescue. “It’s not Harry’s fault that a few of these people are sexist Hermione.”
Neville picked up where she left off. “At least you know if they get pissed, it’s not you they’re going to yell at.” He was smiling as he said it, a small, nervous smile.
“Who’s going to get pissed off?” Morgan interrupted.
The magic wielding group turned towards the doorway to face the other team as they had been calling them for the past twenty four hours.
“Oh!” Hermione gasped. “I’m sorry, you weren’t supposed to hear that.” She offered them a slow smile, eyes darting to her fiancé. Ron shrugged absently and turned away again, feeling uncomfortable.
“Why? You talkin’ about us?” Morgan was smiling as he asked though, and Hermione knew he didn’t mean anything by it. Her own smile became a little brighter, and she allowed a light laugh to escape.
“No sir, definitely not. We were talking about the local law enforcement officials.” She explained. When Ron shot her a look, she raised her eyebrows. What Ronald? If we’re going to be working with them, we may as well be nice. She told him silently, knowing he wouldn’t hear her and that, even if he had, he wouldn’t care. He’d still be angry at Morgan. Overprotective swot.
JJ nodded in agreement, “I know what you mean. They wanted to talk to Hotch more than they did myself or Emily.” She stepped forward calmly, holding a hand out to Hermione. “I’m Agent Jennifer Jareau. You can call me JJ.” After shaking hands, she turned to the rest of her team. “These are Agent’s Hotchner, Morgan, Prentiss, Rossi, and Doctor Reid.”
Hermione was surprised at how relaxed she felt around the woman. It’s something about her eyes. She decided, eyeing JJ’s small frame up and down. “We all go by first names. This is Harry, Ron, Neville, and Luna. I’m Hermione Granger.”
“It’s great to meet you.” Hotch interrupted the pleasantries, eyes darting to the white board. His brow furrowed when he realized it was blank. “Where’s all the case file photos and notes?” He asked, sounding confused.
Hermione’s face flushed red when she realized her major mistake. Luckily, Harry had caught on as well, and he rushed to fix it.
“We just got here ourselves, and we figured since you’re leading the investigation, you’d rather set it up yourself.”
“Do you guys have a map?” Spencer added, looking at the boxes on the table.
“Erm…” Ron held up the pocket-sized map he had taken from the Transit - which Harry and Hermione had forced them all on this morning - “I can ah, go get a bigger one. I’ll be right back.” The red head quickly slid out of the room, and his team felt the magic ripple through the air, when he silently cast engorgio on the map.
The DA backed away from the whiteboard, taking seats at the long conference table. They watched the BAU work silently on tacking up their pictures and evidence bags. Luna watched, with growing horror, as the pictures began to take over the board.
Within minutes, Ron was back, and the board was covered. Hotch closed his eyes and silently began tacking items to the corkboard, disgust making his stomach roll and churn.
Spencer and Ron silently began to put up the map. When it refused to stay, Hermione flicked her wand under the table, softly whispering a permanent sticking charm. Spencer jerked in surprise when the top left corner of the map seemed to pull itself onto the all, but everyone simply stared at him innocently.
He shrugged to himself and pulled out two markers, eyes darting back and forth as he began working on the geographical profile.
Hotch and Prentiss stepped away from the walls, eyeing all the information laid out before them. Turning to the group sitting down, Hotch took a deep breath. “Let’s get started.”
Nodding, the rest of his team took seats amongst the DA. They took a moment to collect their thoughts and finally, the investigation was underway.