Chapter 17: Rituals

"Guys!" Xander yelled to get Buffy and Giles' attention. "We're losing moonlight, here." He gestured at the moon in the sky, before turning and jogging back to the others. He could barely hide his disgust at seeing them together, but knew, if Giles saw it, that he wouldn't react well, so he hid it, which only made him angrier.

Why was he so angry? In retrospect, he knew that he shouldn't be. They were happy…at least they looked happy. Could it be the age difference? He dismissed it as soon as he thought it. Angel was a lot older that Giles. Of course, Giles looks his age, whereas Angel, for obvious reasons, did not.

As soon as he thought it, he knew what the problem was. What if she was using Giles? Granted he cared for both of them, but Giles was like a father to him. He had to talk to Buffy about this before his anger got the better of him. Of course, it would have to wait until the current crisis was resolved. Hopefully he would be able to control his anger until then.

"Is everyone ready?" Giles waited as everyone nodded and Angel's body was unceremoniously dropped by the lake. Giles walked closer and while holding Buffy's hand, he raised his other arm and with hand outstretched, he uttered a few words in Latin. A force field appeared around Angel's form.

Willow took a hesitant step forward, then looked at Giles. As if sensing her unease, he smiled slightly. "Don't worry. The force field will keep him at bay, should he wake up."

"Oh…OK. That's good, I think." Taking a deep breath she followed Buffy and Giles as they approached Angel's unconscious form.

"We need to form a circle around Angels' form." Giles reached for Willow's hand and instructed her to take Buffy's other hand, enclosing the circle. After speaking a few words in Latin another force field stretched out, closing them off from the rest of the world. "It's time."

Voldemort's Lair

"My Lord, we must go at once!" Draco Malfoy had worked himself up, knowing that the time had come.

The Dark Lord regarded him with expressionless eyes. "What is the meaning of this? What has happened?" The menace was clear in his voice and if Draco didn't tread carefully…he didn't finish that thought. Nothing could go wrong. Buffy was his and the sooner she realized that the better.

"Pardon the intrusion," Draco bowed before the Dark Lord, "but we must hurry if we are to capture the Watcher."

"I see. And where would they be?"

"By the lake. They're performing some type of spell…"

"What?!" Voldemort interrupted. He was furious. How dare they try and save the vampire. He would just have to see about that.

Hogwarts Grounds; by the lake

Willow was scared. Or to be more precise, terrified. What if something went wrong? What were they thinking? She couldn't do this…

"Will?" Buffy interrupted her inner monologue, and before Willow could take her hand away stated with confidence, "We've got your back."

Of course they did. Willow took a deep breath and nodded her head to show that she was ready. It was time. No more stalling. They had one chance to get it right.

As per Giles' suggestion, Willow started the spell. She held her head up high and closed her eyes, followed by Buffy and Giles.

"Goddess hear us in the night,

Transform they will by moon's light."

Her chant continued as Giles added his voice to hers.

"The time has come, the time is near,

Dreams and shadows flee in fear."

Taking a deep breath Buffy added her voice to that of Willow and Giles, causing the spell to come full circle.

"Sever the bond that holds them tight,

Day by day, night by night…"

The chanting increased and the words came faster and faster, so that you couldn't understand one word from the next. Angel's body rose into the air as if of its own accord.

Suddenly there was a loud bang as the force field crashed around them. In the next second they were wrenched apart and Angel fell unconscious to the ground. It seems Voldemort was paying them a visit and he was not alone.

Willow was quickly overpowered, having been too weak from the magic to properly defend herself, and Xander jumped to her aid. "Will?"

After shaking her head to clear it, she looked around, "What's going on?"

"Voldemort." Xander responded and helped her to stand.

Looking around they could see Buffy taking on several vampires. So far she seemed to be holding her own, but she was tiring. They ran into the fray, helping where they could.

Something was wrong. Buffy couldn't put her finger on it, exactly, but she knew that something was not right. She ducked to avoid the kick aimed at her head, only to be nailed in the back from behind. Catching her balance quickly, she grabbed the offending vampire by the legs and sent him flying. Buffy produced a stake from her pants' waistband and wiping her brow, she turned to face the vampires. Ducking once more, she landed an uppercut to one, while kicking the other in the gut. Turning she staked the one before he could recover.

Instead of the dust she was expecting, he disappeared with a pop. That's when she knew that magic had created them. Duh, she slapped her forehead, Of course, magic created them. She should have realized it sooner and she had, or at least her inner slayer had. How could they survive if magic had created the enemy? There had to be a better way.

Her momentary distraction was enough for a vampire to get the upper hand. Using his claws he slashed out at Buffy's face, leaving a trail of blood. For not being real, they sure pack a hefty punch. She winced in pain as the vampire started licking his chops, ready to go in for the kill.

The Death Eaters had their orders: Take the Slayer's Watcher alive. The problem was that he was very adept at magic, even though he was never trained as a wizard.

Giles couldn't keep this up much longer. The Death Eaters were strong and he was starting to tire. A quick look told him that the others had scattered, which was both a good thing and a bad thing. Hopefully they would all make it out of this alive and in one piece.

In his moment of distraction, a wizard got in a lucky shot and Giles went flying. Damn. Many more shots like that and he would be out of commission for good. No! He scolded himself. He couldn't allow such thoughts to enter his mind. Not now. Buffy needed him and he'd be damned if he failed her. Shaking his head, he got to his feet and once again faced the Death Eaters.

"Looks like your Slayer isn't fairing too well." The apparent leader taunted.

Giles snorted, but didn't respond. He knew what they were doing. They were trying to split his focus and distract him, thereby making him an easy target. Well it wasn't going to work.

"Year, our vampires will take care of her. Just you wait." One of his cronies added.

Giles' eyes widened as the full gravity of that statement sunk in. The vampires weren't real. Magic had made them, which meant that magic could destroy them. His lips quirked in a grin that even Ripper would be proud of. Slowly he started to chant. The vampires wouldn't know what hit them.

"Buffy!" Dawn was running to her sister.

Upon hearing here frantic shout, Giles turned to see Buffy on the ground with a vamp leaning over her. Momentarily distracted, he had stopped chanting. Stupid, he knew, but Buffy was his life. He had to protect her. Buffy was slowly coming to; that must have been some hit to knock her flat like that. His gut clenched when he saw the blood on her face. He surveyed his options…if he ran to her, he'd never make it in time, that much was certain.

The wizards were gaining on him. Whatever he did it had to be soon and provide instantaneous results. The wind howled around him; all he had to do was listen and the answer would come. Now he knew what to do. It was so simple, why he didn't think of it…well, that was anyone's guess. The spell would wipe him out, of course, but Buffy would be safe. That's all that mattered.

He closed his eyes and raised his hands…the word came to him as if by some unseen force.

"Stop him!" the shout came from nowhere and everywhere. Giles couldn't be bothered. He knew what needed to be done and he would do it whatever the cost.

"Lux Lucis! Aduro!" the sky darkened with Malice. Lightning shot out of the sky searching for their targets. Everything ruptured into chaos. Vampires ran screaming as one by one they met their demise, exploding with a deafening pop.

Giles fell to his knees, the magic having wiped the last of his reserves. He tried repeatedly to stand, but found that he lacked the energy needed. Even trying had sapped what little he had left. Apparently his luck had run out. His last thought as he lost consciousness was of Buffy.

"Giles?" Dawn helped Buffy to stand as the others joined them.

"Did you see that?" Ron was in awe. No wonder they valued that man.

"Giles totally kicked vampire ass." Xander agreed.

"Yeah, but it probably wiped him out." Willow knew, all too well, what that type of magic was capable of. "We have to find Giles."

The Death Eaters approached the Watcher silently, but not silent enough. Buffy turned and ran in their direction with the others following suit. Even as fast as she was, she would never make it in time.

By now, there was a Death Eater on either side of Giles and they were holding him up. "Giles!" with a burst of speed, Buffy got there just in time to see them disappear with Giles.

Turning her anger on the remaining Death Eater, she lunged, only to be held back by Xander and Harry. Even they were finding it difficult to keep her from doing something stupid. "Let me go!" she growled out. Boy was she pissed. Xander had never seen her so angry before. Sure, she would rant and rave about one thing or another, but she was never this out of control.

"Not until you stop and think." Xander insisted. "What the hell do you expect to do against a wizard? Besides getting yourself killed, that is."

The wizard in question just stood there and watched, laughing at their quaint argument. "You have no idea what you're up against. And thanks to your foolishness, we now have your Watcher." With a final chuckle he disappeared into nothingness.

She realized with a jolt that she had wanted them to take her. "I…I can't…" Suddenly overcome with despair, Buffy fell to her knees, shaking uncontrollably. Everything hurt…so much. If only she could make it stop. No! She chided herself, Giles needs me. I have to…I have to… She was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe.

"Buffy?" Hermione approached her friend. Upon getting no response, she touched Buffy's forehead. Only to find it cold to the touch. She turned wide eyes to her friends. "Ron, we need Dumbledore…now."

"What's wrong?" Dawn knelt by her sister afraid to hear the answer.

"I'm not sure. She's…I thought she was hyperventilating, but now…I just don't know." Hermione shook her head. She was baffled, which was enough to scare Ron into action.

Dawn hugged her sister close, "Don't worry, Buffy…we'll get Giles back." Buffy was clutching her stomach and shivering as if she couldn't keep warm. Dawn looked up at Willow with tears in her eyes. "She's so cold. Why is she so cold?"

"I don't know, Dawnie." What a turn of events. First Giles is taken and now this.

Chapter 18: Rescue Mission

Voldemort's Lair

"Captured the Watcher, I see?" Spike watched as Giles was chained to the wall. This could be fun. The Watcher's face looked pale; his features drawn out like he was in pain. Spike knew what Voldemort wanted…had known all along. The problem, as far as Spike knew was Buffy. Spike cared far too much for his own skin to be messed up in Voldemort's game.

A few moments later, a man appeared and unceremoniously dropped Angel next to Giles' form. "Severus?" the whispered words surprised them all. It appears the Watcher is stronger than they gave him credit for. "I didn't expect you to be with this lot."

"Yeah? Well, things change, Ripper." The man in question responded with a sneer.

"I haven't been Ripper for a very long time." Giles wheezed as he took in Snape's appearance. They had never got on all that well, but still something seemed off.

"Maybe…" Snape agreed, "But he's still there, isn't he? Just below the surface."

"Do you have a point?" Giles growled, clearly tired of playing these games.

Snape slowly approached Giles, getting much too close for his comfort. "If you care for your Slayer at all, then you will learn to use Ripper without losing control."

He was about to pose a question, but Snape shook his head. Giles closed his eyes and slumped down. Buffy needed him…that much was certain. But how could Ripper help him? Could he really do this and come out alive? For Buffy, he'd have to.

"This is all very touching but, correct me if I'm wrong, you shouldn't be here." Spike slapped his hand down on Snape's shoulder, intent on causing mischief, and found himself slammed up against wall for his troubles. "Let me go, you old coot!"

"Uncle Sev?" Spike watched as Angelika approached them, her eyes flashing with hidden malice. "You can put Spike down now."

"So, you're the man who has captured my niece's heart." Snape leaned in menacingly as he spoke each word. "Or should I say vampire?"

Spike grinned, unrepentant. "You got that right, mate."

"Spike, do not bate him. You will not like the consequences."

Snape slowly lowered Spike, clearly unimpressed with the vampire. "Sorry, Pet." Spike grinned sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders, "I can't help myself."

Giles snorted, obviously finding it to be amusing. "Well, do try."

"Ripper…" Snape turned to him, the warning clear in his voice.

Giles grinned sheepishly, but didn't respond.

"Professor? You're a Death Eater?"

"Come, Draco. We have much to discuss." Snape proceeded to lead Draco out, but turned to face Angelika once more, "You know what to do?"

"I will handle it."

"Good." Snape left them without another word.

"That bloke's really your uncle?" Spike scoffed, not believing it for a second.

Angelika grinned, but didn't answer. She knew that her uncle could be very fearsome; all dark and brooding. Not many people could tell what he was thinking, but she could always read him like a book.

Turning to the Watcher, she noticed with satisfaction that his eyes darkened. He was assessing whether she was a threat or someone to be trusted. "So, tell me, why do they call you Ripper?" She caressed his face with the tip of her fingers.

He flinched as if stung and narrowed his eyes. "Let me go and you'll find out."

That was interesting. Not many people would turn away from her touch. Maybe her uncle was right and this man was special. Dropping the glamour, she smiled knowingly. "You love her, don't you?"

Shocked at the change, Giles answered her, not knowing what to expect. "Yes, I do. Very much. Without her none of this is worth it." He blushed slightly at how corny that had sounded.

"Oh, cry me a bloody river, why dontcha?"

Angelika held up her hand for silence as she regarded the Watcher. Perhaps she was sizing him up trying to determine his sincerity. "Very well. I will help you."

"What the hell, Angel? You cannot go up against Voldemort he's too powerful." Spike was livid. No way was he letting his girl die.

"You don't understand. According to my uncle, Ripper's power rivals that of Voldemort."

"Come again?" Spike still didn't understand, but she could see that the Watcher was starting to grasp their situation.

"My God…" Giles breathed. The thought had never occurred to him before, but she was right. Ripper was a force to be reckoned with.

"You see now, don't you? If Voldemort succeeds in turning you, the world will never be safe again. Ripper will see to that."

Hogwarts Hospital Wing

"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Hermione hoped that Dumbledore had some answers. It felt like a spell of some sort. But who would cast it and why? What was the point?

"I wish I could give you some good news." He sighed as he felt Buffy's forehead. Still cold to the touch. Something had to be done and soon, but unfortunately the only one who could help her now was Rupert.

"Could it be a spell?" The quietly spoken words startled them all. Dawn was not as naïve as everyone thought.

Willow wrapped her arms around Dawn's shoulders in an attempt to give comfort and support. As one they turned to face Dumbledore. "It's certainly possible, I suppose. However, I find it highly unlikely."

"So you can't help her?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly at Dawn, "I'm sorry, Dawn. What you sister needs now is Rupert."

"Giles?" Xander couldn't see how that would help. Granted Giles knew how to do some things and he did seem to be latching onto his inner Ripper, but that really couldn't help right now. "What can he do that you can't?"

These children really do underestimate Rupert. What have you been telling them, old friend. Dumbledore smiled, knowingly. Time to rock the boat, a little bit. "A great many things, my boy, a great many things." With that parting, Dumbledore walked out. He had plans to execute and hopefully an old friend to rescue.

Voldemort's Lair

"What do you need the poof for?" Spike scowled, he really hated this plan.

"Come now, don't be like that." Angelika crooned, "We can't leave him here. Granted Angelus isn't as powerful as Ripper, but he's very sadistic."

Giles snorted at that description. "We won't have to worry about that, at any rate." He grimaced before adding, "Provided the spell worked."

"Well, I don't fancy testing it out, do you?"

Giles sighed, Spike really was a handful. "Just get me out of here. We'll deal with Angel later."

"Giles…" The vampire in question was starting to stir.

"Can I hit him?" Spike asked with glee.

"No, you bloody well cannot!" Giles admonished.

"Like you can stop me." Spike taunted.

"When I get out of here, I'll stake you myself." Giles warned. Spike really was grating on his nerves. Spike just grinned in response.

Angelika had been walking around the room and examining the various nooks and crannies. Every so often she would reach out and delicately touch the wall as if trying to gauge how much power would be needed to break out. Upon hearing the Watcher's words, however, she turned to face him. "Watch yourself, Ripper." Her eyes flashed with anger. "Do not threaten my vampire."

"Fine." He clenched his teeth in anger. "Just make sure he does what he's told."

She smiled slightly, "That won't be a problem."

"Hey! Standing right here." Spike yelled causing Angel to snap awake and launch himself at the wayward vampire.

"Spike, I'm going to enjoy killing you."

"That's enough." The words were spoken quietly, but they carried, so that all present could hear the threat behind the words.

Angel narrowed his eyes, "Who are you?"

"I'm the one who's going to get you out of this mess. Now let Spike go." When Angel didn't immediately comply she narrowed her eyes. "Now."

"Giles?"

The man in question shrugged. "You may as well do as she says. We don't have the time for much else." Angelika gave him a mock glare. "What? I'm not going to pretend I like him. I just said I wouldn't kill him."

Angel dropped Spike and watched as Angelika approached Giles. "These shackles are protected against magic." She reached her hand out. "Only brute force will break them."

"Yeah, but a key would be better wouldn't it?" Spike smirked as he produced a small key from the folds of his duster.

"It appears I was wrong, Spike. You do have your uses, after all." Giles couldn't help but take a jab at the vampire.

"Too right, and don't you forget it."

Angelika unlocked the shackles, thereby releasing Giles. "That's better." He rubbed his wrists and could immediately feel his magic returning to him.

"You can feel it, can't you?" Angelika made to reach out her hand towards Giles, but let it drop when he glanced sharply in her direction. She smiled slightly, waiting for him to say the inevitable. She didn't know what was happening, but she felt inexplicably drawn to Giles. Maybe it was the magic or the dark vibes that she's getting from his aura. But she knew that he was crazy about the Slayer. They belonged together and that was the way it should be. Whatever this was she had to move past it and soon.

Giles could sense her unease and smiled slightly. "Buffy needs me."

"What's the Slayer got herself into this time?" Spike really did enjoy wheedling the old man.

Giles' eyes flashed with annoyance, but he answered. "Someone's cast a spell on her."

"And you can help her?" Angel really should have known not to be skeptical of Giles and his abilities.

Giles didn't respond, just looked at him as if he should know better. "We're wasting time."

"So what's the plan?" Spike rubbed his hands in glee. This was going to be so much fun. Hopefully he would get to kill someone tonight.

Angelika could hear the men approaching. Whatever they did it needed to be fast. She knew that Spike was restless and in need of a bit of fun, but she couldn't justify trying to fight their way out. They'd never make it and she knew it. She could tell that Ripper felt the danger and knew what was about to happen. Maybe he wanted to tear the wizards apart? Who knew, but she couldn't let him. It wasn't time yet…they still had a few battles left to face. "Can you apparate?" She asked quickly, hoping to catch Ripper off guard.

Giles chuckled and shook his head, "Not the type of magic I do. But a transportation spell should work rather nicely.

Hogwarts Hospital Wing

"Now what?" Xander couldn't believe Dumbledore had walked out without so much as an explanation.

"We wait for Giles." Dawn approached her sister's form, touching her hand lightly.

"Can he really help her?" Ron had seen what the Watcher was capable of, but still he couldn't fix everything.

Dawn shrugged, "He's Giles. He'll know what to do."

"Are we sure this isn't a spell?" Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that something was not right.

"Dumbledore seemed pretty confident. Besides why would they put a spell on Buffy? After all, they got what they wanted." Xander pointed out.

"You can't really blame Buffy, though? Can you?" Dawn demanded.

"Why not?" He scowled, "Look, we all know that Giles would do anything to protect Buffy." Xander shrugged nonchalantly, "Apparently that isn't the case for Buffy."

Dawn gave into her urge and slugged him. "How could you?!" Caught off guard he fell down, gingerly rubbing his cheek. That was going to sting.

Willow wrapped her arms around Dawn's shoulders to give support and glared at Xander. "If anyone's under a spell it's you. Can't you see that they're crazy about each other? Buffy would die to protect Giles, just like she would for any one of us."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."