Chapter 5: Magickal Schemes & Lovelorn Revenge

"This is not happening. This is so not happening." Buffy repeated to herself as she ran, as if that was going to make it true.

She ran right passed Spike without registering his appearance, "Slayer, what's the big hurry?"

"What?" She skidded to a stop and turned to face Spike.

"You heard."

"Can't you see I'm busy?" She snapped at him.

Spike narrowed his eyes and cocked his head, "Yeah, real busy." He advanced towards her.

"What are you hiding?" Buffy knew this was a waste of time, but if Spike knew something it was worth it.

"Hiding? Open your eyes, Slayer." He gave her a tight grin.

Buffy sighed with annoyance and anger. They were getting nowhere, "I don't have time for this." She took off running.

"You won't find him in time!" Spike hollered after her as he slunk back into the shadows.

He just had to have the last word, didn't he? Buffy stopped suddenly as Spike's words hit her. I'll kill him. She abruptly turned and followed Spike, hoping he would lead her to Giles.

Giles fought the vampires as best as he could, but he didn't have the strength to effectively take them on. By stroke of luck, he managed to knock one down and plunge the stake home before being grabbed by another. "Say goodnight."

The vampire bared his fangs, but missed his mark as Buffy staked him from behind. Giles fell to the ground with a thud.

Buffy stared down the other vampires. "Who's next?" Without waiting for a reply, she chose one and sent a high flying kick to his mid-section, then staked him when he was down. The Slayer took control as she fought off the rest of them. Every move she did without thinking; instinct took over.

She threw a hard uppercut to one's face, followed by a kick to another. The vampires screamed in pain as Buffy staked them in sweet succession. Knowing they were in trouble, the rest fled.

Buffy ran to where Giles lay, "Giles…" She moved to cradle his head in her lap, while checking him over.

He slowly opened his eyes to see Buffy tracing his cheek with her fingers, adoration written plainly on her face. "Buffy…" He found the strength to sit up.

"I'm here, Giles. What were you thinking?" By this time, she had started crying.

"I don't think much thinking was involved, actually." He mused, with a small smile.

Buffy immediately started to giggle. "Oh, Giles…" She looked deeply into his eyes, "Promise me you won't do that again."

"Buffy…"

"No, Giles. Look at me." She held his face so he could see to her very soul. "I love you. Now, please promise me."

If he thought he couldn't love her more, he was mistaken. At her words his heart sang, but still Riley's earlier comments plagued him. She could see that he was about to protest, so she caressed his cheek, while slowly lowering her face to his. Giles was too stunned to respond, but didn't stop her from professing her love through that kiss.

Giles looked at her smiling face and thought life couldn't get any better. Buffy loved him and he loved her, but still it wouldn't look right. Not to mention what her mother would do to him,

"Buffy, are you sure? People…"

"I don't care what they think." She interrupted him, "I finally realized what I want and it's been here all along. I'm in love with you and that's that. Now shut up and kiss me." Giles couldn't help but grin at her; she always seemed to be surprising him.

"Gladly."

The knot in Buffy's stomach eased up as Giles leaned in to kiss her. Their kiss grew as passion overtook them. Buffy moaned as Giles' tongue swept in to claim hers. It was at that moment that the sky opened up and let the rain pour.

Giles reluctantly broke the kiss to see a pouting Buffy looking at him expectantly. "Don't you think we should get out of this rain?"

"If we must." They stood and started walking towards Giles' flat, hand in hand.

"I'll only be a moment." Giles ran up to the loft, leaving Buffy to reminisce about the past few hours. When he returned to Buffy's side he was wearing a pair of tan khaki pants and a soft blue sweatshirt.

Buffy gazed at him lovingly, before placing a sweet kiss on his lips, "Hmmm, very nice." She commented, leaving a stunned Giles staring after her retreating form. He raced after her and linked his hand with hers. Thankfully it had stopped raining.

Buffy opened the door to find Willow pacing while her friends watched. She turned at the noise. "Buffy!" She approached the Slayer with open arms, "We were worried sick."

"Sorry, Will." Buffy returned the hug.

Willow released Buffy, "Ooh, you're wet."

"Yeah, we kinda got caught in the rain." She walked into the living room, followed by Giles.

"I'll be right back." Buffy started trekking up the stairs. Willow could see the sparks flying between Buffy and Giles. It was about time too. Earlier she knew that Riley had been lying; Buffy would never do that to Giles. Destiny had brought them together, she thought as she saw Giles gazing at Buffy lovingly. Let's just hope it stays that way.

Five minutes later, Buffy passed the living room, without saying a word as she headed to the door. "Hey, Buff, what's up?" Xander approached his friend.

She turned to face him with steel in her eyes, "I'm going to kill Spike."

She turned to leave, but was stopped when Giles grabbed her arm. He gently turned her to face him, "Maybe that's not such a good idea."

"No, Giles. He set you up and he's gonna pay. End of story." Buffy finished as she let out a yawn.

"Come now, that can wait until tomorrow night, don't you think? What you need now is sleep." He guided her up the stairs and to her room.

"But, Giles…" She tried to protest around a yawn.

"No buts. Get some sleep, we can discuss this tomorrow." He gave her a soft and gentle kiss as he put her to bed. Her eyes slowly closed and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was fast asleep. He watched her sleep with a smile on his lips. She was his; it was almost too much to believe. How he adored her. She was his life; his soul, nothing would ever change that…nothing.

Lord Voldemort's Lair

Voldemort had watched Spike's trickery with glee. He will be perfect.

"My Lord." Malfoy entered the hideout, followed by Wormtail

Voldemort turned to face his servants, "You have everything?"

"Y-yes, Master." Wormtail answered as he took out the supplies.

"Malfoy, I'll need you assistance." Voldemort took Malfoy over to what appeared to be an easel, which was built over a cauldron. "I need you to find me a female sacrifice. The spell must be performed tonight."

"Yes, My Lord." Malfoy turned to leave. Voldemort looked at the brilliance of his plan unfolding.

Wormtail walked up the steps of the easel and laid out all of the supplies, one by one. The first was a Baby Basilisk, the second was a Vampire Voodoo Doll, and the third was a Dream Catcher.

Later that night

Voldemort watched as Malfoy returned with the final ingredient. His servants took the sacrifice up the steps of the easel and tied her down, right above the cauldron.

Voldemort looked out over the sky and saw the full moon rising with the shine of deep red. Voldemort motioned for Malfoy to mirror his own movements.

Voldemort climbed the steps of the right side of the easel as Malfoy climbed the steps of the left side. Voldemort carried a very sharp and dangerous knife in his hand. Without wasting any time he pushed the knife through her heart and as her blood seeped through the easel and into the cauldron he started reciting the spell.

"I call upon the ruler of darkness to do my bidding." Following this line he tossed in the Baby Basilisk, and with a nod of his head Malfoy stated the next line.

"Ruler of Evil, bring forth to us William the Bloody, a creature of the night." Following this line, he took the Vampire Voodoo Doll and tossed it in.

Voldemort took the Dream Catcher in hand and recited the final line of the spell, whilst throwing the ingredient in the cauldron. "Wanderer of darkness, bring him to us!"

While a big cloud of black and red dust rose up and covered the moon, they recited the entire spell at the same time:

"I call upon the ruler of darkness to do my bidding. Ruler of Evil, bring forth William the Bloody, a creature of the night. Wanderer of darkness, bring him to us!"

Sunnydale, California

Spike stood by the big tree outside Buffy's front door, watching the gang and smoking a cigarette. "Damn Slayer…why me? Why now?" He muttered to himself as he thought of what a big baby he'd become…all thanks to the Slayer and her crew of misfits.

Of course, since Buffy had gone to sleep he was watching the rest of them. He didn't know why the Slayer had this hold over him, but she did.

While he stood there watching and sulking, the moon lost its shine and complete darkness fell. Good thing I can see in the dark. He had just begun thinking about his life before the chip and 'Soldier Boy', as he called Riley, hen a portal opened up below him, sucking him under. "Oh shit…" He muttered as he fell. His last thoughts, as he fell, were of Buffy.

The Scooby Gang sat in the living room researching Buffy's latest dream. "Giles, do you really think her dreams are prophetic?" Xander put his book down. When he didn't' answer, they looked over to see him fast asleep with the book on his lap.

Giles was dreaming; he rarely dreamed, but right now he was dreaming. Giles smiled as Buffy approached him. "Are you ready?" She asked sweetly.

He took on a look of confusion. What could she be talking about? "Ready?"

"The Dark Lord's going to rise." She stated, matter-of-factly, reaching out to Giles.

She caressed his cheek, forcing him to lose all control of his brain function. He gazed at her with love shining in his eyes. Just as she was about to kiss him, she was ripped away.

"Buffy!" Giles yelled as he ran after her fading form. He could see a portal at the far end of the corridor. There must be something I can do. Giles felt helpless as he reached for Buffy, but missed as she tumbled through the portal.

The last thing he saw as the portal closed was a giant castle with a crest he was all too familiar with. "Giles…" He could hear her call to him. How he wished he knew what to do.

Giles jerked awake to see four sets of startled eyes staring at him. "What?" He felt very uneasy under the scrutiny of the Scooby Gang.

"How could you fall asleep?" Xander demanded.

"Yeah," Willow agreed, "You of all people should know how important this research is." Giles looked at them in trepidation, Xander looked angry, while Willow just looked hurt.

Giles removed his glasses and closed his eyes, "I'm…I'm sorry." He stuttered while rubbing the bridge of his nose. He replaced his glasses and stood, tossing the book aside. "I've got to…" He motioned to the stairs and started ascending them, while the others looked on curiously.

Meanwhile in Buffy's room

Buffy slept silently, no sound could be heard. As silent as ever a portal opened, sucking Buffy through. By the time Giles got there she was gone, all that remained was her bed. "Buffy…" He fell to his knees. He was too late, always too late.

He slowly stood, with his hands clenched at his side. Before leaving he reached for the bedside telephone. "Angel Investigations."

"Put Angel on." Giles barely registered the fact the Cordelia had answered.

"Hey, Giles, what's up?"

Giles visibly sighed and stated more forcibly, "Put Angel on."

"Ok, ok…Geesh." Giles could hear her sigh as she handed the phone over.

"Angel." He answered.

"We have a problem." Giles stated, and then went into the tale. As he listened, Angel could tell that Giles was trying to reign in his emotions. But with Buffy missing, was falling apart…and Angel knew it. While telling angel the events, Giles tried to calm himself, he would be no good if he lost control now.

Giles hung up the phone feeling relieved now that Angel and his team would be on the way to help. Hopefully, together, they could get to the bottom of this mystery.

Giles took the stairs two at a time as he raced back to the living room. "Buffy's gone." He explained as he fished out a number.

"What?" they all asked simultaneously.

"You mean patrolling, right?" Xander was hoping to get a 'yes', but he was wrong.

Giles just looked at him, not saying a word. That was answer enough. "Right, stupid question," Xander relented.

"Willow, call Buffy's mom." Giles gave Willow the number, before walking towards the door.

"Hey, wait. Where are you going?" Anya called after his retreating form.

"I've got to get a few books. Don't worry, I'll be back." He responded as he ran out the door.

"Well, this is just great." Xander muttered as Willow called Buffy's mom.

Chapter 6: Of Dreams and Magickal Encounters

Buffy was with Giles, her…well, boyfriend, was all she could think of. They started kissing, slow at first, then growing passionate with every passing minute. Buffy moaned as Giles' tongue caressed her own.

Buffy sensed the upcoming danger, but before she could respond, Giles was taken from her. She shouted for him, but was too late. All that remained was a closing entryway to another place. "Giles!" She called for him as her eyes popped open and she sat bolt upright.

It was only a dream. Thank God! She looked around then something hit her. "Wait a second…where am I?" She asked the room. All she saw was a girl looking at her.

"Giles…?" The girl questioned slowly and in a dreamlike state. "Giles is dead." She answered herself while looking at Buffy.

"Wha-what?" Buffy was so confused. Who is this girl? The room filled with more people, some of which she recognized as Xander, Willow, and Dawn. They all surrounded her, as she sat on her bed.

"It's all your fault." Her friends were repeating, while the rest chose to repeat, "Giles is dead."

Buffy curled up into a ball. "No, no, no…" Was all she could say. Then the tears came and she couldn't stop them. "Giles…don't leave me, Giles!" She screamed one last time as she passed out.

Her eyes popped open and she rose with tears in her eyes. "A dream…it was just a dream." She tried to soothe herself.

By that time the sun was starting to rise up over the horizon, she wiped her eyes and looked around. Where am I? All I want is a normal life, is that too much to ask for? "Of course, Buffy, what were you thinking?" She answered herself.

The first thing Buffy noticed was that she was outside. How she got outside, though, was a complete mystery. Buffy wrapped her arms around her legs and placed her head on her knees, wishing she was home.

That was when she felt it…her spider sense was tingling. "Who's there?" She asked cautiously. Looking around, she saw no weapons with which to use, but the forest…now that held possibilities.

"I am Sirius Black." Came the answer, "and you are the Slayer." He sounded very sure of himself…too sure.

Buffy slowly stood and approached the forest. She gazed through the trees, but saw no one. "Are you friend or foe?" Trusting strangers is not always a good thing, Buffy knew, but perhaps trusting this man was her only hope. Who knew, maybe he could help her get home.

"Are you?" Was his response.

Before she could respond, Buffy heard a sound coming from behind. Against her better judgment, she moved into the forest. Ducking behind a bush, she waited.

"Sirius?" Three teenagers crept up to the edge of the forest. Buffy noted the one that spoke had brown hair with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

"You shouldn't be here." He answered.

"We got your message." The only girl with them answered, she had bushy brown hair and reminded Buffy a bit of Willow.

"We were worried." The red-haired boy added.

They all had accents, much like Giles', and with a pang she longed for home and the man of her dreams.

"Don't be scared, Slayer." Sirius whispered in Buffy's ear, "They won't hurt you."

Buffy steeled herself, asking what would Giles do? She closed her eyes, sensing his presence. As if whispered on the wind, she could hear his soothing voice, "Sometimes you have to take a chance to see the silver lining." Buffy took a deep breath, feeling the strength from Giles' words. He was right, of course. She stepped forward to face her adversaries.

"How could you?" The brown-haired boy rounded on Sirius with anger, "we're in the middle of a war and you're out here with this…this…" He waved his hand in Buffy's general direction.

Buffy narrowed her eyes at this boy; who the hell did he think he was? Buffy was about to say so, when his friend spoke, "Girl." She finished the statement, looking at Buffy with curiosity.

Despite the girl's curiosity, Buffy felt angered by the boy's looks of contempt. "Hey, what the hell do I look like? A slut?" She yelled, hands clenched by her sides.

"Well, if the shoe fits."

"Ron, be nice." He was rewarded with a slap to his head, by the girl.

"Ow! What'd ya do that for?" He rubbed the back of his head, while looking at the girl.

"War?" Buffy asked, trying to change the subject.

"You mean you don't know?" Ron couldn't believe his ears, "How could you not know?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "She's American, Ron."

Sirius could hear someone approaching and changed form to that of the black dog. Just as the girl was about to say something, Buffy saw another boy approaching. He had blonde hair slicked back and a snooty looking face.

"Well, well, well…what have we got here? If it isn't Potter and the rejects of Hogwarts." He smirked and continued to approach them.

Sirius, in dog form, stepped forward growling menacingly. The boy's grin widened as he stepped towards the dog threateningly. He grabbed for the dog and tried to drag him away. Sirius yelped and snapped at the boy's hands, but missed his mark.

Buffy narrowed her eyes at blondy, who did he think he was? "Hey, hands off!" She yelled and punched the boy in the face, forcing him to drop Sirius as he went sprawling mere feet away.

Sirius took the distraction to move behind Buffy's form. They watched as blondy stood wiping the blood from his nose as he reached into his cloak. Buffy stood facing him with her hands on her hips. Clearly she was pissed.

"You'll pay for that."

The brown-haired boy looked on as blondy pulled, what appeared to be a stick, out of his cloak. Before he could act, the three friends pulled out their own and yelled, "Stupefy!" in unison.

Buffy was shocked to see the boy fly backwards when hit by the spell. He slowly stood and narrowed his eyes, "You'll be sorry…just you wait." He ran off towards the castle.

The brown-haired boy turned back towards Buffy as Sirius changed his form. "You didn't have to do that." He looked at Buffy in what seemed to be a new light.

Buffy shrugged, "It was the right thing to do."

"Sorry about before. I'm Harry Potter." He motioned towards his friends, "This is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger."

"Buffy Summers." She smiled in greeting, even though she felt dread in the pit of her stomach.

"He's probably going to fetch Snape." Ron stated of the boy that had run off.

"Perhaps we should find Dumbledore." Hermione suggested. Clearly she thought he could help.

"No need." A voice said from the forest. Buffy watched as an older man approached them. He wore blue robes with stars all over them. Plus he had a long white beard and a pointed hat to match the robe. Sirius greeted the man with a smile, "I have news."

"Yes, yes…we'll get to that." He turned to face Buffy. "Ah, Miss Summers. Sirius here tells me that you might be able to help with our little problem." He smiled at her and she found herself smiling in return.

She may not of known him, but it was hard to not like him. "Who are you?"

"Forgive me. I am Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of this school." He stated with a gleam in his eyes.

Buffy waited for him to elaborate, but when he didn't', she prodded, "School?"

"Yes," his smile grew, "welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He moved off with Sirius, speaking quietly. Buffy's Slayer hearing could only pick out a few words, such as, "War, and Vampires." That alone peaked her interest. Maybe she should stay and help, if she could. After all, she was the Vampire Slayer.

Dumbledore nodded his head at something Sirius said, before turning to face Buffy. "I'd like to offer you an invitation to stay at this school." He saw Buffy's dubious look and added, "For the time being."

Everyone seemed to look up to the man standing before her and she knew it had nothing to do with height. He seemed to be the equivalent of Giles to their Scooby Gang back home. "For now." She relented with a small smile.

"Excellent." Dumbledore turned to his three young charges, "Would you three show Buffy around the castle? I have some things to attend to."

"Yes, Professor." They responded in unison. He grinned at their eager looks, then turned to leave with Sirius trotting at his heels, in dog form.

"Well, that was interesting." Ron stated as they made their way to the castle.

Dumbledore's Office

"What do you think?" Sirius was asking Dumbledore.

"If what you say is true, we may need her help." Was his response. He sat at his desk contemplating their next move. The Slayer had agreed to stay for the time being, but he could tell that there was great sadness welling up inside her. What they needed to do was get her some help, but not just anyone…it had to be someone he trusted, and he supposed someone she could trust as well, or perhaps she already did.

"What about the Council?" Sirius asked, as if reading Dumbledore's thoughts. "Aren't they in England?"

"Yes," He visibly sighed and sat at his desk, "but that head is somewhat…old fashioned, if not a bit unorthodox." Dumbledore explained, whilst writing a note.

Sirius smiled knowingly, "You don't trust him."

Dumbledore stood and approached Fawkes, his phoenix bird. After attaching the not, he sent Fawkes on his way. He turned to regard Sirius, "Hopefully, Rupert Giles, can help." He responded in lieu of answering Sirius' previous statement.

"Yes, well, let's just hope his Ripper days are behind him.