Author's notes: In the previous chapter I said that this story has two sides, personal and public. That is still the case here, even if Harry, Superman, Batman, Ron and John Constantine are not featured in it. Hermione's progress as Pandora is tied into the personal side and Lois teaming up with Ginny and Chas is the public one.

Scars in their minds

A.R.G.U.S

Her eyes opened to distant echoes and she threw her gaze around her surroundings. She was still held in the Advanced Research Group Uniting Superhumans' headquarters. There on the other side of the glass she saw the two unfortunate ones the woman had spawned and in their presence she managed to catch a glimpse of the two other sinners. He without his name and He ashamed of his name, Question and Phantom Stranger. They must have been called to keep an eye on her during her containment. Containment that she had been allowed to happen long enough and was better now to find her way to her Lord and Master.

Moving her head up to see her bindings again, she could see she was still wearing most of her robes and that she was strapped to a hospital bed. Her weapons didn't seem to be anywhere in this room, but no doubt they were somewhere in the building and she should be able to call them to her. She still had her abilities bestowed upon her by Granny Goodness as a Fury that would enable her much needed speed, but in order to free herself of her bindings, all she needed to do was to apparate.

POKS!

And she was free. She could have apparated elsewhere to somewhere safer, but the sinners would have followed her. As the members of the Trinity of Sin were unable to hurt or kill one another, she would have only needed to incapacitate them while unarmed.

CHRAAASH!

She charged at the glass and breaking it made her way to the other side. Phantom Stranger had already moved to cover the little one looking at her with their wands ready, but sorrowful looks on their faces.

''Mum?'' the girl spoke pointing her wand at her as the Question was attempting to apprehend her.

''Stupify!'' the boy shouted panicking as he pointed his wand at her, but she managed to use her Fury's momentum

PUFF!

to grab the Question and block the hex.

''Put them down!'' Phantom Stranger told the children while shielding them from her. ''And you, listen to me. You are not Pandora, I killed her to release her from her sentence. I gave you her robes and you took them. That was mistake we both did, Hermione Granger.''

She shrugged a little as she was called by that name.

''You might be wearing her cloths, but you are not her. You are their mother and you wouldn't hurt them, just as you cannot hurt me or Question in your position,'' Phantom Stranger continued covering Rose and Hugo- the weaklings. ''You should know this and no Anti-Life can-''

''Anti-Life just-justifies my-'' she protested, but seeing Rose and Hugo pointing their wands at her stopped her for a while.

Just enough for Phantom Stranger to use his own influence to send Rose and Hugo elsewhere and as they disappeared, she screamed

''NO!''

and reach out to where they had been, only to be blocked by the Phantom Stranger.

''You are inside there, Hermione,'' Phantom Stranger said looking at her face. ''I heard you.''

But now she was angry and in her anger she called out her twin pistols to her and

BLAM!

Shot Phantom Stranger in the forehead and made him fall down to the floor.

''You… cannot hurt me…'' Phantom Stranger spoke in a weakened state, still alive and looking back she saw the Question also coming to.

BLAM! BLAM!

She fired two more rounds, one for each sinner to buy herself more time and knowing this wouldn't kill them.

As she moved to leave the room to escape, and probably to face A.R.G.U.S guards soon responding to the gunshots, she pulled up her hood and told them both:

''Hail Darkseid!''

ZOOM!

a force moving surprisingly quickly grabbed her as she stepped into the hallway and pushed her against the wall.

''Good thing I was in the building,'' the Flash said throwing her weapons away. ''You mind going back to your room or would you want me to escort you to a cell?''

United Nations, New York

Lois had barely gotten herself outside the building when Ginny suddenly apparated in front of her. This was not their first meeting as with her knowing Clark being Superman and friends with Harry Potter, Ginny's husband, the two women were already acquainted.

''Ginny-''

''Did they go back in already?'' Ginny asked walking past Lois in a hurry and saw the answer to her question. ''Damn!''

''You did get Harry's message?'' Lois asked.

''Yes, but I would have been on my way here regardless,'' Ginny said turning around to Lois and shook her head. ''A 5th Dimensional imp who appears and disappears on his own?''

''According to it and Superman, yes,'' Lois said, referring Clark as his other self. ''Superman also told us to get your people more outside witnesses for support. Ginny, are you alright?''

Ginny shook her head.

''Ron's gone,'' she then said quickly before Lois could ask any follow up questions. ''Ron and that John person who was following him.''

''What John person?'' Lois asked, and Ginny answered by grabbing a hold of her shoulder.

A.R.G.U.S

They apparated to A.R.G.U.S' parking lot where Chas Chandler was waiting for them by his taxicab, with Rose and Hugo Weasley.

''Aunt Ginny!'' Hugo called out to them as soon as they appeared.

''Why are you out here?'' Ginny asked walking to them. ''Mr. Chandler-''

''I was waiting out here and they just appeared to me here,'' Chas said explaining his side of things. ''They said something about their mom being awake.''

KRA-BOOM!

Wall of the building was damaged as a cyclone of red, yellow and purple flew through and landed near them. The two figures in it fell on their sides and then got back on their feet, letting the bystanders to recognize them as Pandora and the Flash.

They both moved fast, faster than other could see or react to their moves, mostly on the Flash's part. Pandora's movements we're still somewhat able to be seen as she was mostly charging at the Flash, who dodged all attacks at them last microsecond as if he was attempting to prove a point.

''I can see you have strength and stamina, but that's not going to last,'' the Flash spoke trying to negotiate Pandora to stand down. ''Your speed might be based on your reflects, but compared mine from the Speed Force, you-''

ZOOM!

''might-''

ZOOM!

''as well-''

ZOOM!

''be crawling-''

ZOOM!

''on all fours.''

Pandora's hood slid down her head and exposed her tattoo covered face, letting the Flash and the bystanders see it. Letting Ginny see what her friend had become in action, Rose and Hugo be frightened of what their mother had become, Lois and Chas see another monster and the Flash see into the psyche of his opponent.

''Get into the cab,'' Chas told everyone silently, but audibly enough for them to hear him. ''Everyone into the cab, now!''

''NOO!'' Pandora cried charging at them, but was blocked by a trinket Chas had pulled out from under his jacket.

''Get into the cab, NOW!'' Chas yelled as the Flash took charge of their fight and pulled Pandora away while others complied by getting into the taxicab.

VVRROOM!

And Chas drove them away from the battle between Pandora and the Flash as a large number of A.R.G.U.S soldiers charged at the escapee and the speedster.

''Where did Superman suggest we find those outside witnesses?'' Ginny asked from the back seat where she was sitting with Rose and Hugo.

''He suggested we find the Justice League's former magical liaison,'' Lois said looking back where the fight was still on going. ''Zatanna Zatara.''

''Shadowcrest Mansion?'' Chas asked driving. ''I can get us there in less than an hour, regardless of traffic.''

Ministry of Magic

''Thaag!'' Enchantress hissed pulling her hand.

''Did you get it?' Deadshot asked approaching Enchantress when she looked like she was attempting to recover from what she had been doing. ''Enchantress?''

''No,'' Enchantress responded waving Deadshot to keep his distance. ''I need to go further in.''

''HA!'' Harley Quinn laughed to the double meaning in Enchantress' response, until she jumped down to the chasm. ''Wow, she actually jumped.''

Task Force X looked down to the descending Enchantress, whose momentum was slowed down and making her land softly to the bottom of the chasm.

''Wonderful,'' Deadshot said gesturing to rub his eyes through his mask before rearming his left hand's wrist turret with a grabbing gun. ''Harley and Digger, with me. Spider and Tarrant, stay here and report in case more wizards show up. You know what to do with them.''

''WHOOPEEEEE!'' Harley Quinn yelled gleefully as she jumped over the railing like a bungee jumper, except without a rope.

''Crazy Sheila,'' Captain Boomerang said looking down as Harley was falling and Deadshot jumped after her. ''Am I the only one here who knows how elevators work?''

Harley Quinn free fell down the chasm with her eyes shut and arms spread wide, smiling brightly. Getting nearer to the ground, her momentum begun to slow down, but before she could feel it, Deadshot grabbed Harley and made their landing safer with his grabble gun.

''My hero,'' Harley said gleefully attempting to hug Deadshot, who pushed her off to ground where she moved her limbs like she was making a snow angel. ''That was fun.''

''Glad to hear someone enjoyed that,'' Deadshot said massaging his grabble gun arm before putting it on his earpiece. ''Colonel, some new development.''

''Listening,'' Colonel Flag's voice answered.

''Black Spider and Tattooed Man are staying on the upper level to keep watch while Enchantress leads the rest of us to our target,'' Deadshot replied looking out for Enchantress, who was slowly walking deeper into the ministry. ''As soon as Boomerang gets down here-''

DING!

''Thanks for waiting,'' Captain Boomerang said exiting the elevator while sharpening his boomerangs and rejoined his squad members. ''So, we're following Enchantress to deeper of the thaig?''

''Okay, he's here,'' Deadshot spoke to his earpiece while pulling Harley back on her feet. ''We don't know how deep she's leading us, so have the guys ready to fix our necks when we get to extraction or give us more time.''

''Can't promise you anything,'' Flag's voice replied. ''You go too deep, you go there at your own risk.''

''Got it, Deadshot out,'' Deadshot said taking his hand of his earpiece. ''Enchantress, you need to hurry up on this or our head explode in the middle of this!''

''Patience is a virtue,'' Enchantress said spreading her hands searching what she had found on the upper level.

''Not when our heads can blow up, Sheila,'' Captain Boomerang said walking behind with boomerangs on his both hands.

''THERE!'' Enchantress said declaring their new direction in a hallway.

Captain Boomerang was closest to the direction signs so he approached it, digging something out of his teeth while doing so, and read what it said about their direction.

''Department of Mysteries.''

Shadowcrest Mansion gates

It wasn't a long ride, but they got there in a record time, that was enough for Lois to tell Ginny, Chas, Rose and Hugo about Mxyzptlk's appearance at the United Nations and Ginny to tell Lois about what she and Chas had seen in the House of Mysteries.

''Not even half an hour,'' Chas said turning to the other in his taxicab. ''Remember to recommend me to your friends next time you need a cab.''

''This is where Zatanna lives?'' Lois said looking at the mansion behind the gates. ''She is a superhero and a stage magician, how can she afford that?''

''John told me the mansion belonged to her dad,'' Chas said driving closer to the intercom. ''Zatanna, it's Chas. I'm bringing in some people who need to talk to you.''

''Some people who need to talk to me? Is that what John calls himself now?'' Zatanna's voice spoke from the intercom.

''John's not here,'' Chas spoke back. ''I got Lois Lane from Daily Planet, Ginny Weasley-Potter and her niece and nephew.''

There was 10 minute silence, until Zatanna's voice spoke from the intercom again.

''What do they want?''

''They're-'' Chas was about to respond, but Lois reached over him towards the intercom and took it up herself to speak.

''Ms Zatara, I don't know if you have been watching the news, but the United Nations is right now conducting a hearing that determines the fate of everyone who has a connection to magic,'' Lois spoke to the intercom. ''That includes you. That hearing is however being sabotaged by a magical creature calling himself Mx- Myxies- hold on, I had it written up. Mr Mxyzptlk and we also have reason to believe he has had something to do with the disappearance of Ron Weasley and John Constantine.''

There was another silence, with some muttering heard from inside, before Zatanna's voice told from the intercom:

''RAC OT EHT TNORF FO EHT ROOD DNA SREGNESSAP OT SIHT MOOR!''

All five suddenly experienced a zapping feeling as they suddenly were magically transported from the seats of the taxicab to a mildly lit living room. Zatanna was sitting on a sofa wearing an open morning robe over a t-shirt and sweatpants. Her hair had also been tied to a higher ponytail.

''Forgive me for the method I used to get you in here, but they still haven't found Owlman,'' Zatanna said leaning towards them. ''I have a hunch that he might be coming here at some point and that's all the reasons I have to keep watching my back.''

''What magic did you use to get us in here?'' Ginny asked looking around as if she expected something dangerous to come out somewhere.

''The same one I always use when I talk backwards,'' Zatanna said, somewhat tired. ''What kind of help did you want from me?''

''5th dimensional imp is trying to sabotage the ongoing hearing that determines the fate of every magically gifted person,'' Ginny said telling Zatanna what they had already told her through her intercom. ''And that same imp also sent my brother, these two's father to God knows where!''

''And John with him,'' Chas said adding to the case, earning a glare from Zatanna. ''You might not like the guy, but he is my friend too!''

''Superman was the reason the imp is doing this and has set a bar on how to stop,'' Lois said, taking the neutral party role. ''He said that if we can prove the magical people to not being a threat to humanity without pleading to cases in the past or any good intentions they might do, but rather with something even he cannot expect.''

''You read Grimm's tales?'' Zatanna asked, tired as she was, from Ginny, Rose and Hugo. ''5th Dimensional imps were thought to be magical creatures back in the- what –teen hundreds was it? Anyway, your pack of wizards would probably believe in it too. You did use to be a closed community, weren't you?''

''What the hell is your problem?'' Ginny asked, herself tired of Zatanna's attitude. ''What the hell gives you the right to act like you're not one of us, but also better than us!?''

Zatanna looked at Ginny like she had spit on her, before standing up and said

''STHGIL NO!''

to make it better to see in the living room. Zatanna looked tired and looking at Ginny she kept the attitude of as it Ginny had spit on her.

''There is a reason why Superman asked you to come talk to me. It's because I have kept my JL-comm offline, because I took a leave of absence from the League,'' Zatanna said, with her voice telling Ginny she had done a stupid mistake by ignorance. ''Your brother, his kids, some superheroes and some super-villains were poisoned by the Joker, including a mistake of a man I did once.''

''Seriously?'' Chas asked defending his friend only to patronize Zatanna even further.

''YES, CHAS, SERIOUSLY!'' Zatanna yelled at him. ''The Joker poisoned me too, but before that, I was also abducted and practically forced onto by someone with the same face as someone I have known since I was 10 years old.''

Zatanna sat back down to her sofa, shaking and reminding them that she had suffered more than the others in the living room who had almost recovered by now from the Crime Syndicate's attack.

''And he is still out there. Owlman is still at large and he could be coming for me anytime now!'' she continued shaking, with a hollow voice. ''Your hearing means nothing to me compared to what I going through. And what I'm going through, makes me an unconvincing witness for it. Go ask for Madame Xanadu, Jason Blood or Doctor Fate.''

''Back away from Granger, Flash!'' Amanda Waller commanded from the middle of armed men. ''We will have her back in chains and put under medication so she won't escape again. No more observation.''

The Flash moved fast. Fighting Pandora had reached to that point where she was now on all fours and he was standing over her. Because of that, the Flash managed to look behind to evaluate the force behind Waller and the A.R.G.U.S soldiers.

In a microsecond, the Flash could assess that the soldiers could kill Pandora if she ran or fought back. Or she could have been able to kill everyone if she-

ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The Flash ran to the nearest hardware store he could find and took ropes and chains to tie Pandora before she could get back up. Then he ran to the nearest hospital for anesthetics to render Pandora to relax and tire down, so she didn't fight back or apparate away.

''There,'' the Flash said standing on the other side of Pandora and facing Waller. ''No need for any more violence.''

Waller signaled the A.R.G.U.S soldiers to take Pandora and carry her back inside as the Flash took his leave.

''She is not the proper material for Task Force X, but give her the same treatment,'' Waller told to her personnel as Pandora was carried in. ''Have her chipped. And if you see those two sinners she had circling her, have them thrown out.''

''Forgive us, Director Waller,'' Phantom Stranger said appearing from behind the corner and in front of Waller and the soldiers, ''but we cannot let you do that.''

After having said that, Phantom Stranger extended his arm towards them and then, A.R.G.U.S lobby begun to fill with mist. Waller had reacted to this by drawing a weapon and pointed it at Phantom Stranger, but even as she fired it at him there was no effect. Between the shots, Waller also noticed that the mists had separated the soldiers from close to her and Pandora.

''Hermione Granger is still inside her and willing to surface,'' the Question's voice spoke behind Waller and she turned to see the faceless man having taken Pandora to carry. ''Helping her do that, is question we must find the answer to.''

''Go back to your work, Director,'' Phantom Stranger said pulling Waller's attention to him, or where his voice had been coming from, but wasn't there.

The whole Trinity of Sin had left A.R.G.U.S and all the personnel had gone to act like nothing had happened.

''Son of a bitch!'' Waller cursed out, before clearing her mind and taking out her cellphone. ''Colonel Flag, report on the Task Force X situation!''

Author's notes: So, what do you want next? More political drama with Suicide Squad working behind the scenes or Earth-2's war with Apokolips?

Replies to reviews:

Tiger5: What about this? And where would you want to go next? Prime-Earth or Earth-2?