A Chance To Change.

A Chance To Change...

Part 5: The Spell

Giles picked up his phone and dialled Willow's number, he waited for a few seconds, glancing around the musty room as he did so. He would normally have used the phone in his flat, but he couldn't get to that right now without being seen. A voice at the other end of the line made him stop looking around, and instead fix on a oil spot on the floor, thinking vaguely I should clean up in here..'

Oh, hello Willow its me, Giles...Listen, did you send Buffy to get anything from the shop?
..No? Why?
Giles glanced through the crack in the door at Buffy rummaging through a box, She has broken in here and is now...stealing potions, crystals and herbs...You have no idea what is going on?
No, no...Look Giles, are you sure thats Buffy I mean...
Quite sure, she seems to know where everything is and she also seem to be talking about me under her breath Giles paused and glanced through the crack in the door again to see Buffy filling an empty box with the things she had collected, Right, I think she's nearly finished now...
You can see her right now?

Where are you? The only room downstairs with a phone is... Giles could imagine Willow grinning, Erm...kinda dusty in there isn't it...
Yes...Now if you don't think...
Right, Buffy...Well...maybe she just wants to do a spell...Giles, you know she's going through a hard time at the moment
Yes, I know... Giles sighed, Well...I guess I'll talk to her tomorrow about it...Get some sleep Willow
Yes sir, although me and Tara were going to...Sleep yes...thats good...You too Giles
Uh huh...Goodnight
Giles put the phone down, at the same time as it clicked down he heard the door to the shop slam shut, the little bell jingling erratically. He frowned as this did not seem quite right for someone who was trying to steal things. Pushing the door to the little room open he looked around at the mess Buffy had left, also not right for someone who was trying to look inconspicuous. He walked over to the counter and started sorting things into boxes, yawning he realised this was going to be a long night.

I walked quickly back to my house, eager to get the spell done and my torture ended. I held the light box I was carrying in one hand, the contents rattled around in it noisily. For once I was glad that Giles had made us put all of those name tags on things. It had made my trip much shorter that it had to be. No one had seen me, apart from a few drunks in the street, but it didn't really matter anyway because after the spell everything would be different. I had already worked out what I was going to do, I would go back to just after Dawn had been captured by Glory, that way I could kill her and save Dawn at the same time.

I cleared my floor totally, pushing books and magazines under my bed and chairs outside my door. I had put the box on my bed so I moved over to that next, pulling things out and setting them to the side before folding the box up and shoving that too under my bed. I then walked to the window and shut the blinds, causing my room to fall into relative blackness. I then moved back to the bed and picked up the small alter she had taken. It was dark brown and made of wood, with small holes to hold incense sticks and a slot to Hold a picture of your favourite deity'. Smiling grimly she set it up on her dresser, slotting two sandalwood incense sticks into the holes on either side and lighting, I left them to burn for a second as I checked on a little toy compass which way north was. Surprisingly enough it was the same direction that I had set my alter up in. Smiling again and went over to the incense sticks and blew on them gently until the light changed from flames to just a soft glowing on the end of each stick, gentle grey smoke floating up from each, carrying the faint smell of sandalwood. Next I took all the things I needed up from my bed and placed them in what was to be the middle of the circle, before picking up a long stick (wand) and standing. I closed my eyes for a second, remembering the words I had hastily learnt before pointing the wand towards the alter and concentrating hard. I tightened the muscles in my arm and began to visualise a glowing ball of purplish-blue flame within me, pulsing with energy. Then I began to draw the energy out, little by little forcing it down my arm, hand, then along the wand. When it had reached the tip of the wand I began to walk around my circle, focusing hard of the end of the wand as I walked. As I walked I imagined a white firey line left behind me, trying to make the circle as geometrically perfect as possible. The second time around the circle I begin to recite out loud the words I had learnt,
I cast this circle to protect me from all negative and positive energies and forces on any level that may come to do me harm. I paused and drew a deep breath before continuing, I draw into this circle only the energies and forces that are right for me and the most correct for my work. Now I began to walk the circle a third time as I neared the end saying, I create sacred space. So mote be it Next I moved to the centre of the circle and pointed in each direction, North, South, East and West, drawing a pentagram in the air at each with the wand. I pulled a few candles out of plastic wrapping and set them around the circle, lighting them in turn. White for East, Purple for South, Sliver for West and Black for north. After lighting the final candle I sat in the centre of the circle again and began filling a small putter bole full of water. The fumes from the scented candles and the smell of sandalwood making me a little drowsy. After the bowl was filled with water I dropped five small amethyst stones into it, followed by three rose quartz stones. Watching them splash and sink to the bottom of the bowl slowly before taking a pipette and letting two drops of dragons blood fall into the water (not real dragons blood of course, the synthetic kind). I then took up another putter bowl and started tearing up herbs and dropping them into it. Rosemary, Trefoil, Vervain, Juniper, Mugwort, Basil, Horehound, St John's Wort and Mandrake all went into the bowl before I started grinding them up with the back of a wooden spoon. I then tipped the herbs into the bowl, watching them float around on top of the water, mingling with the oil. Then sat back, crossing my legs and clearing my dry throat. Closing my eyes I began...
I ask in the name of Cerridwen that I, Buffy Anne Summers, be granted the chance to change what should not have been. I ask that this be correct and for the good of all people. So mote be it. In no way will this spell reverse, or place upon me any curse. I paused to breath in deeply, the scent of sandalwood assailing my nostrils again before I continued.
In this night and at this hour, I call upon the Ancient power. O Goddess bride and Consort Bright, I ask thee now to bring your light.
I have a need that must be met. I ask thee Cerridwen that I obtain the perfect chance to change the past, to bring back what should not be dead
I ask the Universe to lend the power of all correct astrological correspondences so they may enter this circle now to obtain my desire The wind rattled around the house, smashing branches against her window loudly, swallowing I continued.
Therefore, I specifically draw towards myself the chance to change what was, and should not have been without affecting the free will of all and harming none.
I now proclaim this spell is done. The chance to change what was, and should not have been is mine! In no way will this spell reverse, or place upon me any curse! As I will, so mote it be!.
I sighed deeply for a second before standing up, feeling drained. Taking up the wand again, I walked the circle one last time. Speaking quietly, I send this circle into the cosmos to do my bidding. The circle is undone but not broken.
Leaving the wand on the side by the alter, near the smouldering incense sticks. I then moved around the circle, blowing out each candle before picking up the bowl full of water and herbs, setting it down also by the alter. Slowly I pulled my trousers and T-shirt off, crawling into bed wearing only my underwear. The air in my room was think with incense. I yawned gently and began to drift off into a dreamless sleep.

The incense sticks were almost burnt out before a soft, pink thumb and index finger snubbed them both out. Faith smiled gently as she looked at the sleeping Buffy, watching her body move gently with each breath. Reluctantly she moved over to the bed, reaching out to shake Buffy's shoulder, murmuring to herself as she does so, I sure hope you have a good plan Buffy...