Chapter 19: Breaking the Spell

"Giles!" Dawn ran into his waiting arms. "I knew you'd escape."

Giles returned her hug and chuckled slightly, "Well, I did have a little help."

He moved aside and they watched as a woman entered. She was tall with long blonde hair, but what unnerved them were her eyes. They spoke of dark and dangerous things. Perhaps from her past? Or maybe she had just seen too much? Although curious, no one dared ask this enigmatic stranger. Not even Xander.

"This is Angelika." Giles introduced to the expectant faces, before promptly falling into a chair.

"Giles?" Willow felt his forehead, which was surprisingly warm.

"I'm fine." He smiled slightly. "Just expelled a bit more energy than I thought."

"Ripper…" Angelika sighed wearily, almost as if they had already had this conversation, "If you would just embrace the magic than this would never have happened. You would not be so tired, so out of sorts."

"Yes, well…the last time I embraced the magic a man died. So excuse me for being cautious." Giles spit out venomously.

"Ripper, you and I both know it's more than that."

"Angelika, please leave it be." In that moment, Giles looked to be much older than his 46 years.

"For now." She agreed before surveying the occupants of the room.

Xander's eyes darkened. How dare she speak to Giles like that? He was family; you didn't diss family. "What the hell is you problem?" He demanded.

Before Angelika could react, Giles was on his feet and standing in front of her. "Xander…" He warned.

"I can fight my own battles, Ripper."

"That may be, but I will not have you harming a friend."

"And you can stop me?" Angelika grinned. Spike was right; it certainly was fun to torment Ripper.

Giles quirked an eyebrow. "And here I thought that Ripper's power rivaled that of Voldemort's?" Giles crossed his arms and glared at Angelika, oblivious to the stunned silence that followed his revelation.

"Relax, Ripper. I'm just having a bit of fun."

"Giles?" Willow's timid voice interrupted their staring match. He sighed, she seemed scared of him now, and that was something he had hoped to avoid.

"Yes, Willow?"

"I think something's wrong with Xander…like a spell or something."

"Indeed?" He looked at the boy in question, who started to shift nervously.

"Not possible." Angelika interrupted, thankful that she knew something Ripper did not. Stop it, this is not a contest. She chided herself. Lives are at stake.

Willow's face fell. "Why not?"

"Each spell leaves a magical signature behind. I'm not sensing any such thing." She explained with a small smile.

"But…but…something's wrong." She insisted, "He never acts this way. Giles, you know I'm right."

"Xander, give me your hands." Giles instructed whilst approaching him.

"Why?" He sounded suspicious, even to his ears.

"Please? I only want to help you." Giles implored, hoping Xander could at least see that.

"Ripper, this is a waste of time. You know that I'm right." Angelika argued. Clearly he wasn't going to listen to reason. She smiled slightly as a thought occurred to her, "Your Slayer needs you."

"That may be." He conceded, "But as Xander is a close friend, she would want me to help him in any way that I can." He took Xander's hands and uttered a few words under his breath. He could definitely see it now. Although, why someone would cast a spell on Xander was anyone's guess.

"Is that…" Dawn was awed. She could see a slight glow to Xander's skin.

Giles spoke another incantation and the glow surrounding Xander dissipated. "How do you feel?"

Xander lowered his arms and grinned. "Better. The anger's gone. Thank you."

"You are most welcome."

The Forbidden Forest

"Professor?" Draco couldn't believe Snape. Why was he siding with the mudbloods?"

"Listen to me, Draco. This is very important."

"No, it's not! How could you take their side after everything?" Draco sounded disgusted.

"I will do whatever I must to ensure the survival of those I care about." Snape grabbed his arm, intending to drag him back to the school.

"No! I won't go with you. Voldemort needs me." Draco pulled his arm loose, before shouting, "Me!" He stormed away from Snape. "Just you wait…Voldemort doesn't tolerate traitors."

Snape chuckled and cocked his head to the side, "Do you think I care?"

Draco scowled, "You will when he captures you."

"He can certainly try." Snape smiled and with a pop he was gone.

"Well, well, well…looks like Severus has a few things to answer for." A man who had heard their entire exchange slithered deeper into the shadows intent on following Draco Malfoy.

Hogwarts Hospital Wing

"Looks like your Uncle has bitten off more than he can chew." Giles chuckled. It didn't really surprise him much. Severus had always been a bit of a handful.

"Give me that." Angelika tore the message out of his hands. Reading it quickly, she swore under her breath. "What the hell is he thinking? All this because of some spoiled brat."

Angelika started pacing, slow jerky movements as she continued to rant and rave.

"Come now, Angelika. Severus is very resourceful. You know that. Besides it's not like this is a bloody shock, right?"

She sighed, visibly relaxing. "You're right, of course. I just wish he wouldn't bargain so needlessly."

"I'm sure he would disagree with you." Giles pointed out gently, "Sometimes it's worth it, though it may not seem like it."

Giles sighed, Severus would have to get himself out of this one. His first priority had to be Buffy. They needed her if they had any chance of defeating Voldemort, especially if they expected him to channel Ripper. He walked over to Buffy's side and felt her forehead. She was considerably warmer than he thought she would be. Perhaps she could sense him? Maybe all she needed was for him to be near in order to break the spell. But that didn't make much sense. There had to be something else. Something he was missing.

Before he could speculate further, Ron took out his wand. "Hold up. Are you saying that Professor Snape is you Uncle?"

He sounded enraged, but Angelika just looked back at him calmly. "He is." The calm manor in which she spoke unnerved Ron and seemed to make him angrier.

"Put your wand down, Ron." Giles spoke calmly, but his voice had an edge to it.

"How do we know that we can trust her?" He was unwavering in his resolve.

"Because I say you can." The answer came swiftly. It was clear that Giles trusted his and he expected everyone else to do the same. Well Ron wouldn't be swayed so easily.

So far Angelika hadn't done anything threatening, but Ron wouldn't back down. He couldn't. "Ron, my Uncle has always fought his darker nature, but he has never succumbed."

"You mean Snape's not a death Eater?" Ron nearly yelled. All of them had thought otherwise.

Giles had been reverently brushing Buffy's hair from her forehead, when he heard Ron's exclamation. Glancing sharply in their direction he asked, "What on earth gave you that idea?" The notion was so incredulous that Giles couldn't help but sound shocked.

Harry shrugged, a bit embarrassed. "He just never seemed to like me much."

"That's putting it mildly, harry. He hates you." Ron corrected.

"Well, not everyone who hates you is evil." Angelika reminded them with a small smile.

"Why doesn't he like me then?" Harry was curious, to say the least. It would be nice to know what Snape's problem was.

She smiled sadly, "His secrets are not mine to tell."

Voldemort's Lair

"My Lord?" Voldemort had told them all that he was not to be disturbed. Why couldn't they listen? He was surrounded by imbeciles.

When Draco had told him of Snape's treachery, he was leery, to be sure. Snape was one of his most trusted advisors. He felt like a fool to have been taken in by him. Hopefully that would change in the next few days.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Forgive the intrusion." The man bowed before Voldemort, "But we have captured the traitor."

"Good. You know what to do. I will deal with him later. Much later."

"Yes, My Lord."

Voldemort was so close, he could smell victory. He had one last thing to deal with in order to ensure success. The Slayer…he had to capture her and tomorrow night he would, but for now he had a prisoner to deal with.

Hogwarts Hospital Wing

"Giles?"

He had been reverently stroking Buffy's forehead, grateful that her temperature was returning to normal. Leaning down, he placed a gently kiss on her forehead, before looking up at the faces around him.

Before he could respond Angelika sighed, "Ripper, I don't understand why you insist on letting these children call you by your last name."

Giles' eyes darkened briefly, but he just shrugged nonchalantly, "It's better than the alternative." Cocking his head to the side he studied Angelika. Something about her demeanor seemed off; he just couldn't put his finger on it. She was worried about her Uncle, to be sure, however there was something else there, it was just beyond his grasp. "Why don't you go see Dumbledore? I'm sure he would want to know about this latest development."

"Very well." She nodded once before leaving.

"She's strange." Xander commented, before regarding Giles once more.

"You have no idea." Giles remarked dryly. "But we have more pressing concerns right now." He gazed lovingly at Buffy.

"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Dawn approached him timidly, almost as if she were afraid.

"I do. Although waking her up may prove to be a bit of a challenge." He removed his glasses and bit down on the earpiece, as if deep in thought.

"It's a spell, isn't it?" Hermione asked from the other side of Buffy.

He replaced his glasses and regarded her. She was altogether too bright, it seemed. This one noticed things that others did not. "Sort of," he relented, "But not quite."

"What's that supposed to mean, Mr. Cryptic?" Xander snorted, as if making a joke.

Giles turned exasperated eyes to Xander, "It's rather complicated, suffice to say that she's in a dream-like state. Obviously not awake, but not sleeping either."

"Then why'd she get so cold?" Dawn wondered aloud, as if to herself.

"My guess? It's her body's way of fighting back."

"But that doesn't make any sense," Willow protested. "She already looks better, just because you're here."

"So it's a Watcher/Slayer thing." Xander determined.

"Why does it have to be a Watcher/Slayer thing?" Dawn stated angrily, "Can't it just be because he's Giles and She's Buffy?"

"Relax," Xander held his hands out in a placating gesture. "I meant no offence."

"I'm sorry, Xand…it's just if they're moving beyond the whole Watcher/Slayer thing, then why does it keep coming back to that?"

"Because, Dawn, that's who they are, even if they try not to be."

Giles had blocked out the conversation around him and was looking at Buffy's prone form, mumbling under his breath. Willow was watching with interest, hoping he would be able to help their friend. "Dawn's right." His silently spoken words stopped all conversations.

"How can you tell?"

Giles looked at Willow briefly, before addressing the room. "I have acquired a certain affinity for the magicks, as of late."

"So how do we fix this?" Xander hated to feel like there was nothing he could do.

Giles sighed, "I wish I knew." It was clear to everyone that Giles was feeling overwhelmed, but he had to stay strong for Buffy. She needed him.

"Ooh…Ooh…I know!" Willow exclaimed excitedly, waving her hands around. They all looked at her expectantly until she calmed down. "What about when she first started to see you as a man man, not a Watcher Man?" At his blank look she giggled, "Work with me here, Giles. You could sing to her." She finished with a dreamy smile. "It was so romantic."

Giles blushed, at the look on her face. "You can sing?" Xander sounded downright grumpy. Is there anything that he couldn't do? Great, Xander, now you're jealous, just when everyone needs you.

"I…um…that is…well, y-yes." Giles stuttered. He hadn't stuttered like that in a good long while. Dawn and Willow burst into giggles at the sight of Giles flustered.

"Ha ha very funny." He sent a mock glare their way.

"Don't be like that Giles. Although seriously, do you think it'll work?"

"Only one way to find out." Giles went to pick up Buffy only to be stopped by Ron.

"Where are you taking her?" he asked suspiciously.

"If you think I'm going to sing in front of you lot, you've lost your bloody minds." He stated matter-of-factly, before proceeding to pick up Buffy. "We will be in my room. Trust me, I will fix this."

They watched as Giles left with Buffy. No one wanted to say anything in case they jinxed it, but everyone was wishing to whatever deity they believed in that Buffy would come out unscathed. Giles needed her, and all present knew that without Buffy all was lost. They had no hope of defeating their greatest enemy.

Chapter 20: Dreams and Nightmares

Buffy's Dream

The sun was shining overhead, although Buffy thought it should be much later than it was. Her internal clock agreed with her assessment. So why was it so early? Shrugging it off a melancholy, she looked around, attempting to determine her whereabouts.

She appeared to be in a field, or maybe it was a meadow? Either way, she couldn't see anyone around for miles. "Hello?" She ventured. All she heard was her voice echoing back. Well, now what? She sighed, this was going to be a long day. Taking stock of her surroundings, she realized that there was really only one way to go. With determination, she headed in that direction.

She walked for what felt like miles, but never really reaching her goal. This is stupid. She plopped her butt down for a much needed rest. Suddenly, she felt extremely tired and was fighting the urge to close her eyes. Sadly it was a losing battle as she succumbed and her eyes closed.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed before her eyes snapped open. She slowly stood and looked around. Something had awakened her. She just didn't know what. Turning around in a circle, she surveyed her surroundings. The sun may have slightly moved, but it was still bright and she noted with dismay that she was still in the middle of nowhere.

"I've been waiting for you."

Upon hearing the voice, Buffy whirled around to face her adversary. She slowly lowered her arms; not a smart move, considering who she was facing. Crossing her arms in annoyance, she glared at the figure approaching. "What the hell do you want?"

He grinned unrepentant. "Is that any way to treat a friend?"

"I don't see any friends here?" She smiled sweetly as his expression darkened.

"You should be nice to me. After all here you are not a Slayer." His grin was back as he regarded Buffy.

"I will always be a Slayer, Draco. That is something you cannot change."

"Are you so sure about there?" Buffy wanted to wipe the smug look off his face, but reined in her emotions as she considered him.

Deciding to ignore the question, she asked one of her own. "What exactly do you want?" She spoke the question slowly, hoping he would answer it this time.

Grin firmly in place, he walked closer while admiring her figure from head to toe. Buffy shivered at the hungry look in his eye; it was almost predatory. "What do I want?" He stopped mere inches from her, knowing full well that she was fighting the instinct to flee. He pretended to ponder the question before looking into her eyes and uttering one word, "You."

Glancing down at her lops, he grabbed her head and kissed her hard. This was not a gentle caress; it was demanding and very forceful. "Get off!" Buffy pushed him so hard that he tripped over his own feet. She wiped at her lips furiously trying to get rid of the taste. That was just disgusting.

"You shouldn't have done that." He stood and faced her once more

She quirked an eyebrow at him. He seemed overly confident. Placing her hands on her hips she glared at him, "Really? Looks like I just did." She crossed her arms in anger and regarded him, just daring him to put up a fight. She was itching to pummel something.

He matched her glare for glare as he weighed his next words. "I'm not ashamed, Buffy. I want you and what I want I get."

"I'm going to say this slowly so that your pea brain can understand." She paused for emphasis. "I do not love you." She shrugged as if it meant nothing. "I'm sorry if you feel otherwise, but I never gave you any inclination that I was even remotely interested."

His grin widened. This was so much fun, too bad it wasn't going to last. "Oh, but I can give you something no other man can."

She snorted. He was so full of himself. "A disease?"

His eyes darkened momentarily, before brightening once again. "Don't be silly. You dream of being normal. I can give you that."

Normal? Could he really do that? Did it even matter? All her protests and claims that she would give anything to be just a normal girl were thrown at her as though it was the most precious prize in all the world. But in all honesty, could she really throw away the one person in her life that she loved and loved her unconditionally? The answer came swiftly, as if there was any competition. She couldn't walk away from Giles. Not Now, not ever. But that's what they want, isn't it? The voice in her head asked. To release Ripper on the world. As soon as Buffy thought it she knew it was true. They thought that they were so smart, well she would give them something to think about.

"Giles is my life. If you think I'm going to walk away from him, you have another thing coming." Before Draco could respond she punched him…hard. He went flying and she took off running.

Buffy ran as fast as she could. She noticed with relief that the moon had risen, illuminating the path with which she needed to follow. The further she ran the colder she seemed to get, almost as if she were headed towards a snowstorm. Shivering, she wished that she had on something warmer. Only to dismiss the thought a second later. She had more important things to worry about.

Looking ahead, she could see a man being illuminated by the moons light as though he were an angel. Moving closer, she found that thought laughable as she came face to face with Ethan Rayne. Definitely not an Angel.

"Ethan…" She growled, preparing for a fight.

"Relax, Slayer." He held his hands up in surrender. "I'm not here to fight. I value my skin too much for that." Grinning suddenly, he walked towards her, "Besides, who in their right minds would fight a Slayer willingly? Especially, when you have magic." Snapping his fingers, she suddenly felt warm all over. No doubt from the magic he just performed.

"You…you sent me here." She accused with a glare.

"Of course, my dear. How else could I get your attention?"

"My attention? You jackass!" She punched him, "Giles is out there dealing with Voldemort and you trap me in here!"

"You're hardly trapped and Ripper is fine." He reported with less than stellar excitement. "Now, we haven't much time."

"Time?" She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "Time for what?"

Clearly she wasn't going to make this easy. Hi sighed, why did he let himself get talked into these things?

"It's quite simple, Buffy. Ripper needs your help." He explained with much more patience than he felt.

"Why do you care?" Ethan was making no sense. He was talking in riddles and why did he always have to refer to Giles as Ripper? Ripper was a reminder of Giles' past…a reminder she knew that he could do without.

"I love Ripper." He laughed out loud at the look on her face, "No, it's true. He's like a brother to me."

"If that's true than why do you insist on causing him pain?" She didn't understand. If he loved Giles like a brother than why treat him with such disrespect?

He shrugged, "Simply put, it's the only way to bring Ripper to the surface. He hides behind the face of Rupert Giles, the ever faithful watcher." Ethan got a wistful look on his face, perhaps remembering times when things were much simpler. "I miss my friend, but the time for reminiscing is long past."

To her surprise, Buffy actually understood where he was coming from and she felt sorry for him. "What can I do to help?"

Ethan's face brightened, "I'm glad you asked. You are perhaps the only one that Rupert will talk to and you must make him understand. Ripper is needed to win this fight. He can't hide. Not now."

"Ripper? But I thought…" Buffy paused as she considered her next words. "Aren't they like the same person?"

"Far from it, actually." Ethan sighed. How could he make her understand? This was a lot harder than he thought it would be. "Think of Ripper as a mask. When Rupert was younger he turned to Ripper in his time of need."

"That's kind of sad." Buffy's face fell as she thought about that, "I know what it's like to feel as though you have no one you can turn to." Poor Giles… She felt her resolve strengthen. Giles needed her and she would do whatever she had to in order to help him.

Buffy cocked her head to the side and held up her hand stopping whatever Ethan had been about to say. She could hear the wind rustling as it brought forth the sweetest sound imaginable. "Giles…" She smiled as his music started to take shape. It was the first song that she had ever heard him play, Behind Blue Eyes. His voice was very mesmerizing and she suddenly found herself captivated, Ethan forgotten as Giles' song came to life.

"Buffy!" Ethan shouted to grab her attention, before it was too late. "You must listen to me!"

Her eyes sharpened slightly as she gazed at him. He was interrupting the soul searching music that her Giles was serenading her with. She took a menacing step towards him and he quickly backed up, cringing before her, knowing what she was about to do. "Please, Buffy…I'm only trying to help." That didn't sound right, especially coming from him. Ethan knew how to play with fire and one of these days he was going to get burned. She stopped suddenly. She really didn't want to harm Ethan. He did tell her that he loved Giles; he probably still does, and despite everything she believed him.

The magic of Giles' voice was starting to affect her. She could feel it pulling at her, begging her to respond. "Giles needs me."

"Yes, he does. But so does Ripper. Remember this, if nothing else, Voldemort can be defeated with you and Ripper working together. You must help Rupert reconcile with his past…He needs Ripper."

Voldemort's Lair

Severus Snape had no doubt in his mind that he deserved this…all of it. If only he hadn't tried to reach Draco. This may never have happened. But like so many things, he couldn't seem to see beyond the fact that Draco had…

Sighing, he thumped his head against the wall. Who was he kidding? Draco didn't need him, he was already too far gone. The thrill and taste of power was very compelling. He could see it in his eyes…it was the same look he himself had often seen in the mirror.

"You look thoroughly depressed." A voice interrupted his musings.

"Took you long enough to gloat." Snape knew it was only a matter of time before he would show himself.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not here to gloat. Maybe just to say I told you so?"

"Really?" Snape rolled his eyes, he could just tell the old dog was wearing a smug look, "Sirius, you surprise me."

"Dumbledore's worried; we all are. You set yourself up…and for what? A power hungry wizard who still has his training wand?"

Snape sighed exasperatedly, "I don't expect you to understand."

"That's just it Severus. I do understand. A lot more than you think I do. I know what Draco represents for you, but you have to understand that not everyone can be saved. They have to want it first. You used to know that."

"I do know that. I may be a foolish man, but I had to try; I couldn't just let it be."

"And that right there will be your undoing." Sirius tried but he couldn't help but sound superior. Normally Snape always had a one up on him, but now with Snape chained to the wall he had the upper hand.

"What happens to me doesn't matter…not anymore. All that matters is that Ripper succeeds where others have not." Snape grinned, pleasantly surprised that he had managed to shock Sirius so thoroughly. Perhaps he had expected Snape to act as if his own life mattered more in the grand scheme of things.

"What can Ripper do? How will that help matters?" Sirius did not relish the thought of Ripper. He had been a very dangerous individual who didn't care for anyone but himself.

Snape smirked, "If you don't know, then I won't tell you. Now get out, before Voldemort catches you."

Sirius looked at him one more time, hardly believing his ears. He had never expected Snape to be self-sacrificing. There had to be something he was missing; some hidden agenda that the great Professor Snape had in mind. But no matter, he didn't have the time to deal with this anyways. Turning into a dog, he growled at Snape, before turning and fleeing through the many tunnels underground.

Snape watched him go. He knew he was playing with fire, but the nugget had been placed. Now all he could do was hope that Ripper came through. This was about to get ugly.