Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or any of their fabulous exploits. I'm just having a little fun torturing them for my own twisted pleasure. Please don't sue me.
Author's Note: This story is going to be kind of depressing eventually, just a warning.
Prologue
Buffy lit three sticks of incense and poured the weird smelly sand Giles had given her in a circle, and then in the centre. She surveyed the ingredients and took a deep breath before closing her eyes and focusing on her intention. Hopefully this spell would do what it was supposed to and break whatever spell was making her mom sick. And as long as Dawn didn't interrupt her again, she couldn't think of what could go wrong.
At first she had trouble concentrating, but she soon felt a strange sort of calm wash over her. Her body felt like it was floating. Then there was a sudden whoosh of air and she knew the spell had worked. Or at least something had happened.
She opened her eyes, and then opened the door, eager to go see her mom. Suddenly a noise startled her. She spun around and spotted a strange girl with long, shiny brown hair and a green jacket in the hallway behind her. She took a quick step forward and shoved the girl against the wall. "Who are you, and what the hell are you doing in my house?"
