*54

Just as the needle's tip was about to pierce her skin, Hermione's form twisted into a blur, and with a crackling sound, she vanished into thin air.

A moment later, the syringe passed through where she'd stood, leaving the attacker stumbling forward.

In the blink of an eye, Hermione reappeared in the same spot, as if nothing had happened.

"Wow... that was close," Hermione muttered, patting her chest.

Moments earlier, she'd sensed a magical disturbance behind her, followed by a rush of air. In desperation, she had executed a silent Disapparition, vanishing just in time.

Since she hadn't predetermined a destination, she reappeared in the same spot.

Fortunately, Hermione's magic had been strengthened by her studies, ensuring successful casting even with an empty mind. This in-place shift allowed her to evade the sneak attack.

Only then did Hermione turn her attention to the figure before her.

The assailant wore a light gray combat suit reminiscent of an assassin's creed. Though masked, her physique suggested she was a woman.

The masked attacker seemed shocked by her failed attempt. After a brief pause, she resumed her assault.

"Repello Inimicum!"

Hermione hadn't detected her earlier, allowing the assailant to get close. Now prepared, she wouldn't let her be so bold.

A white light struck the masked woman in the chest. She spun several times in the air before crashing to the ground.

"Confringo!"

The ground erupted, sending shards flying at the masked woman like bullets.

But just as they were about to hit, her form shimmered, becoming ghostly and intangible.

The debris passed through her harmlessly, like air.

The woman advanced on Hermione, her body flickering between solid and ethereal.

Hermione frowned.

"Confringo!"

"Expulso!"

"Diffindo!"

Spells passed through the woman, failing to hinder her approach.

As she closed in, she raised the syringe again.

"Apparate!"

Hermione vanished, reappearing behind her, dodging the attack.

Seeing the woman's half-ethereal form and recalling something, Hermione had an idea.

"Finite Incantatem!"

The spell emanated from Hermione, spreading in all directions. When it reached the masked woman, her flickering form solidified.

The woman stood still, staring at her hands in shock.

No matter how she tried, she couldn't revert to her intangible state.

As Hermione raised her wand, the woman finally spoke: "Wait..."

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The woman felt a chill in her veins. Her limbs snapped to her sides, her chest and head rigid. She toppled over like a statue.

Her eyes, the only mobile part of her body, watched Hermione approach.

"Diffindo."

Hermione looked down with a cold gaze.

Her wand tapped the woman's head, breaking the mask to reveal a striking face with Hispanic features.

The wand hovered above her, and though the woman wanted to speak, she couldn't. Her eyes pleaded with eagerness.

Hermione observed for a moment and said, "I'll lift the spell shortly. Don't move, or I won't be so gentle next time."

"Wink if you understand."

The woman blinked rapidly, and the next moment, her body relaxed, regaining mobility.

You call this gentle... She glanced around discreetly.

The ground was stained with dried blood, surrounded by wreckage, ashes, and charred bodies.

Though she mentally cursed, she had no choice. She flipped herself upright, kneeling before Hermione.

"My name is Ava, and S.H.I.E.L.D. sent me to capture you..."

She immediately sold out S.H.I.E.L.D., without any hesitation.

Listening to Ava's tale, Hermione pieced together the story.

The earlier militants were merely bait, with Ava as the true threat. The masterminds knew Hermione wouldn't be easily subdued, so they dispatched a commando team to die while Ava lurked nearby with her abilities.

Once Hermione eliminated them and let her guard down, Ava would strike, using anesthesia to incapacitate and kidnap her.

Unbeknownst to the commandos, they were sacrificial pawns.

"So, why did you betray S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Hermione asked.

Ava likely didn't know about HYDRA and believed she was on a S.H.I.E.L.D. mission.

Ava's eyes shone with excitement: "Because you can stabilize my condition!"

Hermione nodded, unsurprised.

After neutralizing Ava's powers, she refrained from killing her, remembering Ava's identity.

The villain from "Ant-Man and the Wasp," Ava Starr, aka "Ghost"!

As a child, a quantum explosion granted her the ability to phase between solid and ethereal states.

Unable to control it, the power became a torment. S.H.I.E.L.D. found her, promising to help if she worked for them.

But HYDRA, seeing her as a valuable assassin, never intended to cure her, exploiting her as a weapon.

With little loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D., upon realizing Hermione could stabilize her, Ava defected immediately.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had achieved little in years, while this young girl could restore her with a wave. Was there even a choice?

Seeing Ava's pleading eyes, Hermione said calmly, "Why should I help you? You just tried to harm me."

Ava, desperate, clasped Hermione's sleeve with sincerity.

"If you cure my quantization, I'll pledge my loyalty to you!"

After years of suffering, she'd finally glimpsed hope and was willing to do anything.

Hermione considered and nodded internally.

This deal was worth it.

The would-be assassin offered loyalty, requiring nothing in return. Why refuse?

Moreover, neither Ant-Man Scott nor Hank Pym could extract quantum energy. Hermione alone could stabilize Ava, ensuring her allegiance.

Even without her phasing powers, Ava remained a top agent.

A win-win!

Seeing Hermione agree, Ava was elated.

"But my magic can't permanently solve your problem. I'll need to recast periodically to maintain your stability."

Ava hesitated, momentarily disheartened, but quickly regained her spirits.

"No problem!"