A/N: Many thanks to my team of betas and support: xxdustnight88, gaeilgerua, & mystrana.

I hope everyone reading enjoys this. xx

Chapter Seven

Hermione was sitting on the bus, worrying her lower lip. Steve had texted her earlier in the day, and instead of calming her nerves, it only made her feel worse. She wanted to reach out and let him know that she could help, but she didn't want to go against orders.

Needing a break from everything, she had decided to take the bus downtown for an afternoon off. She was going to catch a movie.

Suddenly, there was a shattering of glass, a screeching of wheels, and then the bus was flipping. Hermione screamed, trying to grab hold of something to brace herself.

Opening her eyes, she saw that the bus was lying on its side. Groaning, she sat up. She could feel a trickle of blood running down her forehead. She tried to wipe it clear.

Looking around, she gasped in shock when she saw Steve. "Steve!" she shouted, rousing him. He stirred. She made her way towards him, cringing at the broken glass as she tried to avoid it the best she could. "Steve, get up!" She shook him. He looked rough - cuts were all over his body.

He opened his eyes slowly before bolting upright. "Hermione?" He blinked a few times, looking at her in confusion.

"What happened?" Hermione asked, her stomach churning.

"Winter Soldier. You need to get these people out of here." He stood carefully, looking around.

Hermione nodded. "On it." She needed to help the civilians and minimise the damage as best as she could. Moving away from Steve, she started to help some of the passengers through an open window. Luckily, most seemed unscathed and were able to exit on their own.

Looking around, she saw that Steve was also helping people out.

Suddenly, there was a scream and bullets were flying.

Hermione grabbed the two people she was helping by the hand and ran, tugging them along with her. She stopped on the side of the street, hidden by a corner. "Get to safety," Hermione told them. "Now!" The couple hurried off.

Hermione pulled out her phone. She called Miss Rodriguez. "Multiple civilians injuries. Winter Soldier activity suspected. East Main street." She quickly hung up, knowing that she needed to get in and assist before the situation worsened.

She gripped her wand tightly, ready to step in. Looking around, she saw that a woman had just been shot… She recognised her as Agent Romanov from the database. She ran forward, watching as the Winter Soldier got ready to shoot. Pulling out her wand, she cast a Bombarda spell at the car that he was standing on, sending him flying.

Hermione rushed to Natasha's side, stopping quickly. There was blood on her chest from where she had been shot. Hermione went to apply pressure to the wound, but Natasha stopped her.

"Take my gun and help Steve," Natasha said, pushing the weapon towards Hermione. "More discreet." She cracked a smile.

"Thank you," Hermione said, picking up the weapon and gripping it tightly. She had completed a firearm training during her youth, and Miss Rodriguez had insisted on her taking a refresher course, so she felt comfortable with the weapon in her hand.

Looking around, she tried to find Steve. When she did, she began to move towards him.

Steve was fighting with the Winter Soldier, but he was now pinned against the side of a van. Hermione aimed the gun and fired, clipping Barnes on his metal arm. Barnes looked her way briefly before returning his gaze to Steve.

Steve managed to push the Winter Soldier off him due to the distraction, before he briefly looked at Hermione in surprise.

"Hermione, you're left!" Natasha shouted, wincing as she leant against the side of a van for support.

Hermione turned, shooting one soldier in the chest before she was quickly approached by another soldier. She pulled her wand out, sending a Stinging Hex to the face. He fell back in surprise, and Hermione promptly cast an Incarcerous spell to bind him.

Looking back, she saw that Steve was still fighting the Winter Soldier. Steve kicked him off, sending his opponent flying. Steve shakily stood to his feet. At that moment, Hermione saw that the mask had fallen off. Barnes' face was exposed completely.

"Bucky?"

Even from her distance, Hermione could hear the hurt and confusion in Steve's voice.

"Who the hell is Bucky?" Barnes raised his weapon towards Steve, who was frozen, too in shock to even move out of the way or attempt to block the attack.

Raising her wand, Hermione cast another Bombarda spell, directly at Barnes. There was an explosion, sending Barnes backwards. However, as the smoke cleared, he was gone.

"Hermione, go," Natasha said quickly, looking her way. "Hide!"

There was the sound of sirens, and Hermione knew the police were coming. She glanced at Steve, who was in complete shock. He looked frozen in the position that he was currently in.

Wanting to help, but knowing that she couldn't be apprehended, Hermione took off. As soon as she rounded the corner, she Disapparated to the office to update her supervisor, offer assistance with the clean up, and see to the cut on her head.

Still, she couldn't help but feel defeated. She had failed to apprehend Barnes.