Screams from the haters...got a nice ring to it.

I guess every superhero needs his theme music.

The weather was mild that morning, the songbirds chirping tinny melodies in the treetops. All across the city the tranquility of nature was inundated with massive throngs of people making their way down the streets, pouring out from the tube, and thousands of cars snarled in traffic jams stretching for miles. Helicopters buzzed about like a swarm of insects, circling around the sprawling grounds of Buckingham palace. Camera crews from all corners of the world fought for the perfect perch, the perfect view of the palace, which had an elaborate stage set up in front of it. Everything was adorned with images of the Royal family coat of arms, as well as the British flag.

Security was tighter than anticipated as Bellatrix and Hermione moved among the sea of people. Both were dressed in plain clothes, jeans and shirts with light jackets, their disguises effectively rending them invisible to the crowds. Bellatrix struggled with the baseball cap perched on her head, earning the dark witch several snickers from her goddaughter.

Security checkpoints were ubiquitous, along with multitudes of heavily armed soldiers all toting deadly automatic rifles and pistols. Hermione blanched at the sight of the guns; muggles may not have wands at their disposal but guns, she figured, were in many ways much, much worse. Corps of riot police were also present, sizeable plastic shields at their sides. Security was heavy, to say the least. They approached one of the mobile security stands and allowed themselves to be pat down by one of the soldiers, and he used some sort of detection device to scan each of their bodies. It didn't look like any metal detector Hermione had ever seen. It chirped twice on both herself and Bellatrix.

"Left queue please." He barked to both women. The people that stood behind them were directed toward the right. Walking toward the directed line Hermione peered ahead to see that it led to a small tent that housed team of robed Aurors. Straining to look a bit harder it was evident they were confiscating wands, and placing them into enchanted boxes. Bellatrix tipped the brim of her hat forward, it's brim concealing her charcoal eyes in a veil of shadow. The Aurors, so overwhelmed with the magnitude of spectators let the fugitive death eater slip right through their fingers.

A young Auror stood by the exit to the tent and addressed the small crowd inside. "Wands here. They will be returned to you at the conclusion of the day's festivities. Should any attempt be made to sneak a wand inside, you will be subject to the full punishment of Ministry law; there is an anti-wand charm set within the confines of the crowd. Should any spells be attempted the wand will short and notify the nearest Auror." Bellatrix and Hermione, sequestered within the densely packed group of people, dutifully surrendered their wands without hesitation; they expected and prepared for this. After all of the occupants placed their wands in the containers, the young Auror cleared her throat and continued. "Please take note there is an anit=apparition jinx in effect for the city limits and a temporary suspension of the entire London floo network; effective until midnight Greenwich Mean Time. Observe all muggle and magical laws while at the jubilee. Leaflets available are inside the grounds, as are souvenirs. Enjoy the jubilee!"

They exited the tent and walked directly into the largest crowd of people Hermione had ever seen. It stretched on for what seemed like miles, and ebbed like the surface of a pond in a windstorm. Bellatrix clasped tightly to Hermione's arm as they navigated their way toward the front of the crowd, careful not to step on anyone, and more importantly to avoid Bellatrix being recognized. Wading through the ocean of onlookers was tedious, and the two witches earned many a groan as they pushed and shoved their way to the very front gates of Buckingham Palace.

Up against the cast iron fence Hermione shrugged in exasperation, grasping at the black and gold bars with both hands. "I don't think we'll be able to get any closer than this Bella."

"Will this work? Have you a good vantage point from here?"

Scanning their immediate surroundings Hermione calculated many risks in her head. Her task was the least of her worries at the moment, and she tried to pull her mind away from fixating on the legion of muggle soldiers patrolling the grounds. She inhaled deeply and nodded her silent confirmation. The dark witch prepared to speak once more but Hermione silenced her. "I need a few moments to meditate." Bellatrix gaped at her goddaughter whom was noticeably preparing to enter a trance by easing her eyelids closed.

The scene surrounding the two witches was nothing short of chaotic; people were amassed everywhere, most tremendously fervent to see their monarch and the royal family. Littered throughout the colossal gathering of spectators were protesters as well, toting picket signs with various words and slogans of anarchy and antagonism. They too, were creating much noise; the sounds bringing a smile to the young witch's face.

The stage had been set, Hermione mused as she willed her sense of hearing to lessen and drown out the din of the horde. Focusing upon the steadily beating heart in her chest, she willed it to slow its pulse, and dilate the intricate network of veins and arteries; nourish the muscles and provide her with the strength she needed. The strength she had been readily building for nearly half a year.

It all came down to this moment. The prospect of Fleur's freedom, and their future, was palpable. Saliva pooled in her mouth as though she had been presented with a delectable meal that just a little to far out of reach. A hunger stirred within her gut. The plan had been rehearsed over and over in her mind. Armed muggle reinforcements were hidden deep within the masses but that mattered little to her at the moment. They had but one shot, and Hermione was going to make it count.

A fanfare of trumpets silenced the crowd and stirred Hermione from her trance. The two witches followed the sights of the onlookers toward the grand front entrance of the enormous palace.

"Pomp and Circumstance" began to play over the PA system and the effect of the music could be felt instantaneously. The crowd reacted passionately; many waving banners and the British flag, and Hermione could've sworn she felt the very ground lurch beneath her feet with the electric excitement coursing through the masses. The Prince and his two sons were the first to appear in the entryway, waving and smiling. Bellatrix looked completely bewildered at the adoration of the people being pored out to the Royals. Several other members of the court appeared shortly after; all waving in the same emotionally distant manner as the Prince, causing Hermione to scoff. Sweat now saturated her shirt and she absently tugged at the collar of her light jacket, finding the garment suffocating. She peeled it off and tossed it on the ground.

Several well-dressed people crossed in a group toward the Royals congregated on the front steps. Foreign diplomats most likely, Hermione thought, and she continued to watch them closely, her eyes constantly flitting from them to the royal family. Among them was the muggle Prime Minister, and Kingsley Shaklebot, walking a few paces behind.

Several speeches were given, and the crowd listened with rapt attention, each face with jaws slackened and mouths agape. Two faces, however, remained stoic as stone. To the young witch the haughty orations all seemed to blur together, each one a disingenuous promise of prosperity and hope.

Hope.

The concept had grown so foreign to her in the recent weeks. The same could be said of dreams; as Hermione came to find that all they did was leave truth behind. She leaned over toward Bellatrix' ear, and gestured at the diplomats. "Listen to them up there, casting aside reputations built upon greed and corruption; concealing it behind a guise of hope. Wolves in sheep's clothing. The people hang on to every word they say as if their lives depended on it. Those men and women there, in the suits, half are in conflict with the other. They'd jump at the chance to stab the other in the back. Sickens me."

Bellatrix only nodded absently in response. "The blind leading the blind." The words were nearly lost as the rapid crescendo erupting from the crowds swallowed the dark witch's voice whole. Another grandiose fanfare began and finally, the diminutive British monarch slowly hobbled outside onto the stage. The ravages of old age had not been kind to the Queen, one of her arthritis ravaged hands clutched the Prince's arm vice-like, while the other was held upright giving a weak wave. The adulation of the crowds flowed forth like a deluge, and the Queen could only muster a weak smile in its wake. Hermione watched her prey closely, and swallowed hard before closing her eyes.

"Now!" Bellatrix hissed.

The sounds surrounding her dissolved into nothingness; as though the entire world had suddenly been submerged underwater. Eyelids clamped shut, her mouth and throat became entirely desiccated. The pulsations of her heart decreased in speed and frequency, her veins and arteries expanded to welcome more blood to her contracted muscles. Her eyes reopened. All around her everything now moved in slow motion, and the only sounds she could perceive was the cavernous inhale and exhale, echoing through her ribcage. Images began to flash like projector slides through her mind.

First she could see the youthful faces of Helen and Bellatrix laughing together, and leaning into each other for a soft kiss.

It faded to the loving visage of Bill and Karana, caressing one another in a tight embrace, their eyes gazing longingly into the others.

Finally she could see Fleur.

Silvery blonde hair that moved like a waterfall whenever she laughed; that beautiful laugh that Hermione loved to hear. A supple body with pillow soft skin, hands that spoke for every want and desire. A vision of loveliness that gripped at Hermione's very soul.

But then she heard the taunts. The words of hate and ignorance. Fleur's visage immediately warped into that of her Veela form; wings a flutter, and teeth bared in wrath. Behind her was the Dark Lord, grinning intensely. His lips moved slowly from the shadows of his hood, each syllable stringing together into the incantations. All at once her senses were assaulted. She could taste metal on her tongue, and her nose filled with a odor reminiscent of rubbing alcohol. Neurons screamed as axons burst with renewed vigor and the incantations exploded one by one into a myriad of colors behind her eyelids.

Bombarda! Bombarda! Bombarda! Reducto!

Windows on the Palace burst outward one after another; a glittering rain of glass falling down upon the royals. They all screamed in pure terror, turning on their heels to flee. But all was still happening so slowly to the young witch who willed the spells a few more times, causing several of the stone steps of the grand stair case to turn to rubble in a brutal manner. She could see the screams forming on the faces of the royals, the muscles of their jaws and lips rippling like disturbed water. Her own body shook violently with each incantation, and her skull pulsated in her head. Blood trickled out from her nose.

Confrigo! Confrigo! Confrigo!

Flags disintegrated into billowing masses of fire and the frenzied people rushing to flee from the flames, knocked several of the banners to the ground, igniting the carpet that sat upon the balcony. Soldiers, guns at the ready, began to make a beeline for the Queen, who was seemingly paralyzed with fear; her gnarled hands clutching at her heart. Hermione had but seconds before the guards would reach the Queen. They were too slow. The words scalded her mind as she screamed the word within herself.

CRUCIO!

The Queen immediately convulsed in undeniable torture, her fragile body whipping back violently. The curse only needed to be cast once and the effect was instantaneous. She dropped like a stone to the ground, her head bouncing cruelly on the concrete. To anyone that was watching, it looked like she had been shot in the head with a high-speed bullet. The people watched in horror.

"The Queen!" Someone had screamed from behind.

"God save the Queen!"

"She has been hit!"

"Terrorists!"

"We're under attack!"

"I don't want to die!"

People rushed every which direction. And several of the protesters rushed forward, lobbing stones and debris over the fence. Hermione started to tremble, her muscles growing weak. Suddenly she was struck hard in the shoulder as a man scrambled past. The blow immediately knocked her on the ground and she fought to standup once more but the flood of feet rushing past kept her pinned. A sneaker connected brutally with her nose, the cartilage cracking on impact. Bellatrix fought through the stampede and lunged for the downed Hermione. Once on her feet she struggled to plug the blood gushing from her nose with her fingers. She was completely lightheaded and had no time to take in her surroundings as the two women were swept into the rushing current of people fleeing the grounds.

"Run Hermione! We have to RUN!" Bellatrix screamed before taking off into a sprint, tugging the lethargic Hermione with her.

People were being pushed and trampled everywhere. Including Aurors. They had succeeded. They created pure, unadulterated chaos.

A distant popping sound could be heard, growing ever louder over the din of the panicked masses and Hermione's eyes shot wide open in terror. Soldiers armed with rifles and batons were beginning to fight back.

Hermione screamed at Bellatrix. "They're firing on the crowd!"

In the sudden panic and confusion Hermione stood rooted to the spot in the realization that they both very well could die today.

Boom! A plume of tear gas seeped through the mob and instantly they were thrown into a violent fit of coughing. Bellatrix clawed at her throat, and pulled the collar of her t-shirt over her mouth. Hermione felt vomit rising up her throat with each heaving cough. They had to keep moving.

Stupefy! Stupefy!

People were knocked skyward by an invisible force, effectively clearing a path for the two witches. This garnered the attention of several nearby soldiers. They continued sprinting for the exit gates and the soldiers suddenly gave chase, one of them shouting they had found the suspects. Bellatrix cut a sharp left and barreled through the Ministry checkpoint tent. They whipped through the door flaps as a barrage of bullets tore through the canvas, splintering the wooden support beams, causing the tent to begin to buckle around them. They pushed through the sprays of death, both summoning their wands with a quick shout. They rolled underneath a metal table within the tent; the object a temporary shield from the bullets. The canvas tent was beginning to collapse on top of them, trapping them both behind the table.

"Damnit they're shooting at us now!" Hermione cursed over the noise, her hands clamped tightly to her ears.

"Shooting what!"

"Bullets Bella! They are worse than spells! Don't let them hit you!"

"We have to get out of the anti-appartition jinx!"

"What do we do! They've got us surrounded!"

"Leave that to me, in the count of three, get ready to run like hell!"

"Bullshit!" The young witch spat. "We have magic. We can fight back!"

Bellatrix smiled wickedly before shooting up to her feet. "Excellent. CONFRIGO!" Flames burst from the tip of her mangled wand as if it were a blowtorch, and the ragged canvas ignited instantly. The flames consumed everything in their path, including the box of confiscated wands that burned with a spectrum of brilliant color. Bellatrix and Hermione strode through the tempest of flames and without delay started to fire a barrage of stunning spells at the soldiers, knocking them back like dominoes. Bellatrix' hyena cackle rang loudly over the clamor of bloodshed and she gleefully hit a group of riot police with several shots of the torture curse. The armed soldiers stood paralyzed at what they were witnessing before a flourish of pain felled them.

Pivoting quickly they sprinted for the mammoth Victoria Memorial on far side of the street. Riot police pushed back against the crowds, a feeble attempt to keep the peace. And Hermione could see several Aurors moving among the people as well, stunning them. To her delight, the rioters even began to attack the Aurors in a flurry of punches and kicks. Some even flung Molotov cocktails, setting several of the magical soldiers' robes aflame. Magic wasn't helping them here.

A vicious fight broke out by the moving barricade of riot police rounding the base of the memorial, and people began hurling themselves against the riot shields and threw anything they could find at the police. A chorus of car alarms and shattering glass could be heard for miles.

"There's our chance! Let's go!" Shouted Hermione with an outstretched arm. They ran again, dodging the flying stones and glass bottles being hurled in every which direction. A mere fifteen feet from the riot police Bellatrix fired a spell to down several of the armed guards. Hermione leapt clear over their bodies and sprinted down a side street with Bellatrix only a few paces behind. Gunshots raked the brick walls of the buildings they passed. Gravel burst from where the bullets impacted, scratching her across the face. They just needed to get to an alleyway.

Bombarda! As she ran, Hermione blew out the door and front window of a convenience store in hopes to draw away the attention of the shooter. The explosions provided a veil of smoke and fire, concealing the two women and Hermione was first to dive into a nearby alleyway. Nothing was visible through the choking smoke and her eyes burned painfully in the soot. She pressed her body into the shadows and attempted to still her ragged breathing. The smoke was slowly beginning to clear but Bellatrix was still nowhere to be seen. The muffled voices of soldiers rushing by could be hear in the distance.

"Bella!" She hissed. "Where are you?" She turned around to peer down the alleyway. There was nothing of note except for a pair of rusty dumpsters and an old Volvo sedan parked next to one of them. Her mind was working a mile a minute, and she fixated her eyes upon the car. However, the sound of whimpering from behind her broke her wild thoughts.

Hobbling into the alleyway clutching at her lower torso was Bellatrix. Hermione froze in horror at the sight of a slick black stain growing on Bellatrix' shirt. The dark witch had been shot. Bile rose in Hermione's throat as she watched Bellatrix struggle to plug the gaping bullet hole in her side. As she turned around, on Bellatrix' back Hermione could also see another tear in her shirt; most likely the exit wound.

"Fucking muggles...get out of here. I'll find my way out. Go." Bellatrix grunted, coming to lean against the brick wall. "Find where the jinx ends and get as far away from here as you can. Get…to…the Ministry."

"And leave you here to die? Forget it. We're getting out of here together." The brunette knelt down next to the wounded Bellatrix and tore a strip of cloth from her own t-shirt. Hermione took one for the dark haired witch's hands and placed the balled up cloth into it. She pressed Bellatrix' palm clutching the fabric against the entrance wound, effectively stuffing the cloth balls into it. The elder witch snarled at the pain. "Don't you dare lift your hand off this wound until we are in the clear." Hermione demanded angrily before standing up.

"I can't run anymore, my side Ahh, the cruciatus is a tickle compared this..."

The high-pitched wail of police sirens whizzed past, followed by another cacophony of bullets colliding with the brick and cobblestone. Both witches immediately reacted and shielded themselves with their arms.

Once the noise died down, Bellatrix' face had contorted into an expression of pure agony and she bit down hard on her tongue to stifle a scream. Hermione remained astride the wall, leaning out to peer down the street every few seconds. The smoke had almost entirely cleared, affording her a clear line of sight down both ends of the side street. Soldiers ran past on one end, the other appeared clear. Staying low to the ground, the young witch scampered toward the Volvo, and pressed her back into the driver side door.

She stood against it, and with one fell swoop of her elbow, she smashed in the window. The glass tore the skin of her arm, but the adrenaline coursing though her veins made the pain barely register in her mind. Unlocking the door she slipped into the drivers seat and ran her fingers underneath the console.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Bellatrix called out.

Recalling every muggle suspense movie she had ever watched, she ripped the console free from the paneling. It vomited out a spaghetti mass of dusty wires. She sorted wildly through the tangled cords, searching frantically for the ignition and starter wires. The dark witch's cries could barely stifle Hermione's intense concentration as she deftly started to strip the wires with her fingernails. She worked with the precision of a surgeon before finally threading the two live wires together. Quickly she yanked out and stripped the starter wires and upon touching the two copper cords together, the Volvo's engine roared to life. A swell of pride surged through her.

She returned to the bleeding witch by the wall and grasped her under the arms and dragged her toward the car, easing her into the passenger seat. Bellatrix' blood was already seeping into the cloth upholstery. Hermione took the wheel and shifted the car immediately into second gear, slamming hard on the throttle and peeling out of the alleyway and onto the street.

"Bella!" Hermione cried, her gaze steadfast upon the road. "Take my arm, hold it and just keep trying to apparate, you've got to try!"

Hermione shifted into the third gear tearing down the street, weaving in and out of the lanes. Bellatrix held weakly to Hermione's wrist and braced herself as Hermione took a vicious turn through a roundabout. The cars momentum pressed Bellatrix' wound directly against the center armrest and she cried out in agony.

"Keep trying Bella! Please!" The squeal of deafening sirens drowned out her words.

Squad cars suddenly gave pursuit. It was like a pack of wolves chasing a deer, and a slew of expletives burst from Hermione's throat as she could see the cars approaching through her side view mirror. The side streets were giving way to the highway and to Hermione's horror, she could see a major traffic jam of cars attempting to leave the city. Throwing the Volvo into the highest gear, she tore across the median and turned into the oncoming lanes. With a whip of her arms, narrowly avoided a head on collision with a truck. Her palms were slick with sweat as she violently swerved through the flood of cars and trucks heading straight for them. The Volvos engine screamed in protest as her foot jammed the accelerator to the floor Through the mirror she could see the squad cars were in pursuit once more, and this time hey had backup.

High in the air a machine gun attached to a military helicopter opened fire on the Volvo. Bullets peppered the side doors and hood with a deafening clatter. It reminded the young witch of a hailstorm she had once driven through with Mrs. granger when she was younger, and from what she could recall, it was a terrifying experience. This was no better. The bullets continued to rain down on the car, and she nearly lost control when a few rounds pierced through the rear window, tearing into the plush seats like knives.

"Do you feel anything yet Bella?" Hermione shouted, her hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel. Bellatrix weakly shook her head.

Bang! One of the bullets tore through the rear left tire, and it disintegrated on impact. The Volvo swerved wildly across the highway as Hermione struggled to right the vehicle. The rubber tire tore free of the rim and a shower of sparks was now trailing the car. It made the Volvo look like a rocket being fired across the road. To say that Hermione's stomach was in knots would be an understatement but she soon she could feel a slight tug at her navel.

"Bella, that's it! Keep trying! We must be getting close to the edge of the jinx! I can feel it! Just a little bit more!" The engine of the car was nearly at a screech as Hermione had the gas pedal pressed completely to the floor. The clutch rattled as if it were in the middle of an earthquake. A bullet grazed the headrest of her seat and pierced the windshield causing a spider's web of cracks to expand across it. She was driving blind. Clipping the side of an oncoming van, she struggled to right the vehicle, though she could not see a thing through the obliterated windshield. For a second she thought to cast the bombarda spell at the windshield. But her understanding of simple physics told her that the idea would only result in the same gory mess that Moody had caused her days ago. Lifting her left leg out from under the console she angled her body at an impossible angle and kicked firmly at the windshield with the sole of her shoe over and over.

Bullets clanged against the roof of the car as she finally managed to kick a sizable hole, just enough to see an enormous wide bed truck flanked by two other cars barreling toward them.

"Shitshitshitshitshit!"

All three lanes were occupied and the shoulder was along the far side of the road. She had only one shot. One try before certain death. She gripped the wheel and aimed the car at the smallest car to the trucks right.

Wingardium leviosa. Wingardium leviosa. Wingardium leviosa!

Focusing upon the smallest car she willed the vehicle to suddenly lift from the road. With each repetition it wobbled a little bit higher, but to her horror, not enough to fully allow the Volvo to pass beneath it. They were only a few feet from impact. She could feel her chest burning in pain.

"Bella get down!"

The Volvo tore underneath the car, it's tires pressing hard into the battered roof like a fist, pushing it in hard. Hermione's chest slammed hard into the steering wheel. It felt like a punch to the diaphragm. They cleared it and continued down the highway, and Hermione could not catch her breath quick enough before Bellatrix gasped loudly with fear.

"Look out, up above!"

In the side view mirror she watched in terror as the helicopter ducked lower, ready to make a low pass at the car. The gunman in the craft was quickly working on loading another magazine when finally Hermione could feel the familiar pull of sidelong apparition. The barrel of the monstrous machine gun was beginning to rotate, a hornets nest of bullets fully prepared to slaughter the Volvo once and for all. The roof was so badly damaged, it would only take a few of the armor piercing rounds to rip clear through it. Hermione wanted to cry, to pray but she wasn't ready for death, no. Today wasn't her day to die. She removed her foot from the accelerator and fixed her sights a few yards away across the median. Bullets began to strike the hood and sunlight streamed into the car. She closed her eyes tightly and removed her hands from the steering wheel. The Volvo drifted toward the median, making a beeline for the guardrail. She could feel the tiny sonic booms of each high-speed bullet as it tore into the car.

Then it felt like her navel was being ripped out.

Pop! They tumbled against a tree on the far side of the highway. Hermione stood to see the Volvo get torn to shreds by the sniper before exploding into a huge cloud of smoke and fire. The wreckage skidded to a halt and was barely recognizable as a mass of twisted metal and flaming upholstery. Bellatrix was bracing herself against the tree trunk with her right hand, the heel of her left palm was pressed firmly into the bullet wound that was still steadily bleeding. She appeared woozy before collapsing against Hermione.

Soldiers surrounded the wrecked Volvo, their rifles trained upon the massive knot of smoldering metal. Hermione knelt forward and rested her hands upon her knees in exhaustion.

They had done it. It was over…

A/N: Lyrics at the beginning are from Kanye West's 'Power'.

A/N 2: Its time for that dreaded, 'oh-man-real-life-sucks' note. I've been pretty good with posting this story, and hope to have the next part up within a week or so. Just a heads up, things are getting a bit rough for me at the moment, but I promise to be diligent in seeing this story completed soon. :D