Chapter 5: The Witch Part 1
March 18, 1997 – Tuesday
Halliwell Manor
Phoebe approached Paige as she prepared to orb to Sunnydale. Curiosity filled her voice as she asked, "So, do you know what Buffy or Dawn's powers are yet?"
"Not yet," Paige replied. "It's only been a few days since I unbound their powers, Phoebe. They haven't discovered their triggers or even what their powers are. Unlike us, their powers weren't passed down through the generations in their family. Each generation may or may not have inherited a power from a previous generation. We even tested if they had Joyce's power."
"What power does Joyce have again?" Phoebe wondered.
"Invisibility," Paige explained. "But neither Dawn nor Buffy possess that power. Joyce's trigger didn't work for them."
Phoebe then inquired about Buffy's potential Whitelighter powers. "What about Buffy's Whitelighter abilities?"
"I've started teaching her telekinetic orbing since it was my first power," Paige shared, reminiscing on how she had learned about her own abilities. "That one should be easier for her to master because I can guide her through it. Then we'll move on to regular orbing. The other powers will be more challenging for her to learn, but luckily Leo is there to help. He'll be teaching Buffy about the Whitelighter powers I have yet to fully control."
Piper entered the kitchen and joined the conversation. Curiosity piqued, she asked, "How does Buffy feel about Leo being her father and discovering she has two half-brothers?"
Surprisingly, Paige replied, "She's actually happy about it. From what I gather from Buffy, Joyce, and Dawn, while they loved Hank and he loved them, their relationship was strained solely due to the divorce. I'm not even sure if Joyce has contacted Hank to inform him that he isn't Buffy's biological father."
"It might be better not to," Piper suggested. "If he found out, he could take Joyce to court for the child support he paid for Buffy. Although Leo is mortal now, he doesn't officially exist in the system. He doesn't have a social security number, a bank account, or even the ability to hold a job since he died over fifty years ago. It would be in Joyce's best interest to keep it quiet until Buffy graduates from high school."
Paige nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. Well, I better get to Sunnydale."
"Have a good day," Piper and Phoebe wished her as Paige orbed out.
Sunnydale High School
Paige smiled as she observed Buffy standing in front of her and Giles, donning her old Hemery High cheerleading outfit. Giles, clearly bewildered, voiced his disapproval. "This is madness," he exclaimed, unable to hide his perplexity.
Buffy, unfazed by his reaction, responded with a playful tone. "You don't like the color?" She glanced at Paige, momentarily wondering what her thoughts were about seeing her in the uniform. She mentally shook her head to dislodge the thought.
Giles appeared exasperated. "I... I don't—Buffy, do you intentionally ignore everything I say? As a rule?" he queried, genuinely perplexed.
Buffy grinned mischievously. "No, I believe that's your specialty. I already told you, I'm trying out for the cheerleading squad."
Giles, still struggling to comprehend, emphasized, "You have a sacred birthright, Buffy. You have been chosen to destroy vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness, not wave pom-poms at people. As your Watcher, I must forbid it."
Paige interjected, raising an eyebrow at Giles. "And how exactly do you plan to stop her?" Her gaze shifted between Giles and Buffy.
Giles shot a stern look at Paige before responding. "I take it this was your idea, Paige?"
Paige maintained her calm demeanor, meeting Giles' gaze directly. "One thing being a witch has taught me," she explained, "is that it helps to have normal things outside of your calling, your destiny. If we can't have a semblance of a normal life, what are we fighting for? I want Buffy and Dawn to live long lives, well into their eighties, nineties, even a hundred years old. But Buffy won't escape her teens, because of the Slayer side of her, if she doesn't start living now."
Giles sighed, his resistance gradually fading in the face of Paige's reasoning.
As Paige watched Buffy leave, her heart felt heavy with a mix of longing and resignation. The image of Buffy's youthful grace and infectious energy lingered in her mind, intensifying the hidden attraction that she harbored, despite their age differences.
Paige couldn't help but marvel at the way Buffy effortlessly commanded attention, radiating a magnetic charisma that drew people to her. The cheerleading uniform accentuated Buffy's athletic figure, highlighting her natural beauty and captivating presence. She found herself yearning for a deeper connection, wanting to be the one who could share in Buffy's joys and provide solace during her trials.
However, a wave of bittersweet reality washed over Paige. She was acutely aware of the challenges that accompanied their age difference and the responsibilities that came with being Buffy and Dawn's Whitelighter. Paige knew she had to prioritize her duty to protect and guide Buffy and Dawn, even if it meant suppressing her own desires.
With a heavy sigh, Paige tried to push aside her attraction and focus on being the best Whitelighter she could be for Buffy and Dawn.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
The sign hanging on the gym wall read "CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS" as Buffy, Dawn, Willow, Cordelia, and Xander entered the bustling room. Willow, sensing the disapproval from Giles, spoke up, breaking the silence. "Giles didn't approve, huh?" she asked with a hint of concern.
Buffy nodded, a wry smile playing on her lips. "He totally lost it. We haven't seen a vampire or demon since Friday, and he's already in panic mode. Maybe he should consider getting a girlfriend, if he weren't so old. But Paige, she's completely on board with this. She gave Giles this whole speech about how Dawn and I need normal stuff to remind us what we're fighting for. You know, saving the world and all that."
Xander chimed in, reflecting on the cheerleading spectacle before them. "People scoff at school spirit, but when you see these young women giving it their all like this..." He trailed off momentarily, momentarily distracted by Amber's impressive stretch.
Cordelia, sensing his attention wandering, gently redirected his gaze towards her. "Remember, you're with me now," she reminded him, a touch of possessiveness in her tone.
Xander's smile widened as he handed Cordelia an I.D. bracelet. "Here's a little good luck thing for the tryouts," he said.
Curious, Willow peered at the bracelet. "What is that?" she wondered.
Cordelia read the inscription and smiled. "This is so sweet! Yours always..." she trailed off, genuinely touched by the gesture.
Xander quickly interjected, "That was on there when I got it. Really. They all said that."
Cordelia shook her head playfully, teasing him. "Yeah, if that makes you feel better, sure." She then turned her attention to Amber's show-stopping moves. "Just look at Amber. Who does she think she is, a Laker Girl?"
Dawn chimed in, sharing some insider knowledge. "I heard she turned them down."
As they continued their conversation, three cheerleaders approached the table and took their seats, signaling the beginning of the tryouts. Dawn, Xander, Willow, Buffy, and Cordelia moved back to give them space.
Willow spotted an old childhood friend, Amy, among the girls waiting to tryout. "Hi, Amy," she greeted with a smile.
Amy returned the greeting. "Hi."
"I didn't know you wanted to be a cheerleader. You've lost a lot of weight," Willow commented, noticing the change in her appearance.
Amy nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Had to."
Willow turned to introduce Buffy and Dawn. "Do you know Buffy and Dawn?"
"Hi." Amy said as she glanced at the sisters. She let out a sigh. "Oh, how I hate this. Let me count the ways."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Paige sighed, her frustration evident as Giles shook his head, looking at her with a mix of understanding and concern. "Paige," he began, his voice gentle yet firm. "I comprehend the desire for a normal life, but we must face the reality that Buffy may never truly have it. As a Slayer, her destiny will always loom over her. You, of all people, should understand this, being a Charmed One with a dual nature of witch and Whitelighter. And unfortunately, Buffy herself will could likely never live past her eighteenth birthday."
Paige met Giles' gaze, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. "What I understand, Giles, is the weight of sacrifice and losing loved ones to the forces of darkness. I experienced it secondhand watching my elder sisters go through it. My eldest sister, Prue, was killed by a demon just days before I was reunited with Piper and Phoebe. Witnessing the pain and anger it caused Piper, I realized the importance of finding balance. Yes, Buffy must keep her calling in perspective, but she also deserves something outside of slaying. Something that reminds her why she fights to protect the world."
"For me, my reminder has been my sisters, my brother-in-law, my nephews," Paige continued her gaze unwavering. "I look back at what happened to Joyce. She was best friends with my birth mother and when my birth mother died. Joyce bound Buffy, Dawn and her own powers, because she couldn't handle it anymore. She didn't want her daughters to have to go through what she had. That was wrong; she should have trained them in the use of their powers. What I'm trying to say is that yes there will always be things that need her attention as either a Slayer or as a witch or even as a Whitelighter. But if she is to live past her eighteenth birthday, she needs things to ground her also, things to live for."
Giles let out a sigh, his expression softening slightly. "I do see your point, Paige. But this is a crucial time for Buffy."
Paige nodded; her voice filled with conviction. "I'm not suggesting we neglect her training or her duties as a witch, a Slayer or eventually as a Whitelighter. Vampires and demons will always exist, and Buffy must be prepared to face them. However, if she is to have a chance at a longer life, she needs grounding elements as well. Just as Joyce, Buffy's mother, made the wrong decision in suppressing their powers, we must ensure Buffy finds a balance between her destiny and a semblance of normalcy."
Giles rubbed his temples, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. "I understand your concern for Buffy's future. At this pivotal moment, we need to take it one day at a time. If she manages to make it onto the cheerleading squad, let's use that as a test. We can see if she can effectively juggle normal activities with her duties as a Slayer, a witch, and as a Whitelighter."
Paige nodded, grateful for Giles' willingness to consider her perspective. "That's fair," she replied, "but if she can balance it."
Giles offered a small, weary smile. "Then I would be more than willing to let her have some freedoms outside of her calling."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
As all eyes were fixed on Amber's cheerleading tryout, a sense of confusion and alarm spread through the group as smoke started to billow from her pom-poms.
"What in the world...?" Buffy's voice trailed off, a mixture of surprise and concern evident in her tone.
"That girl's on fire," Willow observed, her voice tinged with worry.
Cordelia, however, remained dismissive, her attention elsewhere. "Oh, enough with the hyperbole," she muttered, oblivious to the unfolding situation behind her.
Suddenly, Amber dropped the pom-poms, causing everyone's focus to shift entirely as they watched in shock. Flames erupted from her hands and forearms, engulfing her in a terrifying display.
A high-pitched scream pierced the air, sending shivers down the spines of onlookers. Without hesitation, Buffy leaped into action, her instincts taking over. Spotting a large Razorbacks banner hanging on the gym wall, she swiftly tore it down and rushed towards Amber.
With a burst of adrenaline, Buffy tackled Amber, wrapping her tightly in the banner to smother the flames. As she fought to extinguish the fire, a series of fragmented images flooded Buffy's mind, leaving her gasping for breath.
Amidst the chaos, she glimpsed fleeting scenes of danger, darkness, and an unknown force at work. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the cryptic messages conveyed by the haunting vision.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"I've been slaying vampires for about a year now," Buffy began when she, Dawn and their friends regrouped with Paige and Giles in the library. "I've seen some pretty cringeworthy stuff, but nobody's hands ever got toasted."
"I imagine not," Giles said.
"So, this is not a vampire problem," Buffy said.
Giles nodded in agreement. "No," he confirmed.
Paige interjected, offering her insight. "There are two possible explanations," she suggested. "One is spontaneous combustion, which is rare and scientifically unexplainable. The other is a witch, specifically a dark witch."
"Spontaneous human combustion has been reported throughout history, leaving nothing but a pile of ashes," Giles added.
"Which is why I mentioned witch," Paige said. "Buffy would never have had the chance to save Amber as she would have gone up too fast."
Buffy contemplated their words, hesitant to mention the vivid images she had witnessed when touching Amber. "We still need to rule out the spontaneous combustion theory," she said cautiously. "Are there any common factors in cases of spontaneous combustion?"
"Rage seems to be a common denominator," Giles responded. "In most cases, the individuals who combusted were extremely angry or upset."
Cordelia chimed in, offering another perspective. "So, Paige's theory about Amber being a witch like Buffy and Dawn with the power to set herself on fire could be plausible."
Paige nodded in agreement. "It's definitely a possibility we need to consider."
Buffy took charge, determined to gather more information. "So, I should get the skinny on Amber. See if she's had any colorful episodes before," she declared.
Willow, finding her niche, smiled eagerly. "That means hacking illegally into the school's computer system – at last something I can do," she said, making her way to a nearby computer.
Xander offered his assistance as well. "I'll ask around, see if anyone knows anything about her," he volunteered.
Dawn, concerned for their safety, spoke up. "Guys, you don't have to get involved," she said, worried about their well-being.
Xander's determination shone through as he reassured her. "What do you mean? We're a team! Aren't we a team?" he said, addressing the group.
Willow nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Buffy's the Slayer and we're like the Slayerettes."
Buffy appreciated their support but voiced her concerns. "I don't want you putting yourselves in danger," she cautioned.
Xander thought about a witty comeback, but then he glanced at Cordelia. She thought of him as her knight in shining armor. The witty comeback would just make her have doubts. And she was the first girl that had even shown an interest in him, besides Willow. But Willow he considered to be a sister.
"Buffy," Paige said. "You remember what I said to you a couple days ago about the Cleaners erasing memories?"
"And how they hadn't erased Willow and Xander's? That they may have a part in mine and Dawn's destinies?" Buffy asked as she took a moment to reflect, then looked at her loyal friends. "I'm grateful that you all want to help. We can use all the help we can get," she admitted. Turning to Giles and Paige, she raised an important question. "But what if we find out Amber isn't responsible for this herself?"
"In that case," Paige responded, "we need to determine the identity of the witch behind it and deal with her accordingly."
Halliwell Manor
Later that evening, Paige found herself seated in the living room with her sisters. Piper, ever perceptive, spoke up first. "You think Buffy was hiding something from you?" she asked, seeking clarification.
Paige nodded; her expression thoughtful. "Yes, it definitely felt that way. There was something she wasn't telling me. Something significant that occurred during the cheerleading tryouts, apart from the girl catching on fire. It seemed to deeply affect Buffy."
Phoebe chimed in with a thought-provoking question. "Could it be possible that Buffy is the witch you've been searching for? The one responsible for setting Amber ablaze?" she suggested.
Paige hesitated, pondering the idea. "I find it hard to believe that Buffy would intentionally harm someone like that," she admitted.
"What if she didn't," Piper interjected. "She's new to be a witch, a new power manifesting for the first time, she wouldn't have control over it. Like Tyler, who couldn't control his fire-starting abilities initially. Remember how he accidentally set fire to our own couch? It's something we need to consider. Maybe Buffy is a Firestarter who hasn't yet learned to control her powers."
Paige let out a sigh, realizing that she needed to have a conversation with Buffy to uncover the truth. "I'll go talk to her," she declared orbing out of the room, determined to get to the bottom of the mysterious events.
Summers Home
Crates were scattered around the kitchen of the Summers home as Joyce carefully pried them open with a crowbar, inspecting the contents and checking her inventory list.
Buffy and Dawn entered the kitchen, dropping their schoolbooks on the table. "Hey, Mom," they greeted her.
Joyce looked up, a smile gracing her face. "Hi, how was school?" she asked, momentarily distracted by her task.
"A reverent joy," Buffy replied sarcastically, taking in the cluttered kitchen. "What's all this?"
"It's for the tribal art display," Joyce explained, while Dawn curiously examined a statue.
"Cool," the sisters chimed in unison, taking a seat at the table and observing their mother's work.
Buffy decided to share the news about the tryouts. "We had tryouts today," she informed her mother.
Joyce looked up briefly, her attention still focused on the crates. "Great! How did it go?" she asked absentmindedly.
Buffy and Dawn exchanged a glance. "Actually, Buffy didn't get a chance to try out," Dawn revealed. "There was an accident."
Buffy nodded. "Pretty fierce competition, though."
Realizing her lack of engagement, Joyce finally turned her attention fully towards her daughters. "I know you'll do fine. Just keep pushing forward. Sometimes you just have to get back on the horse," she encouraged, struggling to open a particularly stubborn crate.
"Mom?" Buffy interrupted.
Joyce looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Yes?"
"What was I trying out for today?" Buffy asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Her mother's face fell, a mixture of confusion and frustration. "Um... some activity?" Joyce admitted sheepishly. "I honestly have no idea, I'm sorry."
Buffy couldn't help but smile. "That's okay, Mom Your platitudes are good for all occasions," she reassured her.
Joyce sighed, realizing her distraction. "I'm sorry, girls. I have a lot of inventory to go through for the gallery's upcoming show." She glanced at Buffy. "Buffy, would you mind helping me?"
Buffy raised an eyebrow playfully. "Is that considered personal gain?"
Joyce chuckled. "Perhaps a little. But how else are you going to practice and control your Whitelighter powers if you don't get some hands-on experience?"
Buffy nodded, extending her hand. "Lid," she called out, and the lid of the crate instantly orbed off the crate and into her hand. She gently placed it on the table next to the crate.
Dawn looked on in awe. "That's really cool, Buffy. I wish I could do that."
"It was actually cheerleading tryouts," Buffy revealed, causing Joyce's face to light up.
"Oh! That's wonderful. I'm glad you're getting back into it," Joyce exclaimed just as Paige orbed into the kitchen, surprising them all. "Paige?"
"I need to ask Buffy something," Paige said, her tone serious. "During the incident with Amber catching on fire, were you doing anything in particular?"
Dawn and Buffy exchanged confused glances, unsure of what Paige was referring to. "Buffy was standing right next to me," Dawn spoke up, trying to recall the details.
"Piper and Phoebe had a thought that it might be possible for you to be a Firestarter," Paige explained, causing Joyce to cover her mouth in shock.
"Mom?" Buffy and Dawn uttered simultaneously, their eyes looking their mother questioningly.
Joyce took a moment to collect herself before speaking. "Firestarters are extremely rare witches. They were traditionally used to guard the Source," she shared, her voice filled with concern.
"But that's no longer the case since Piper, Phoebe, and I vanquished the Source," Paige said as she returning her gaze to Buffy. "Buffy were you angry at Amber?"
Buffy furrowed her brow, genuinely perplexed by the question. "No, not at all. Why would I be?"
Paige sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "I don't know, but discovering a new power..."
"But we haven't even figured out what my witch power is yet," Buffy interrupted, voicing her frustration.
Paige considered Buffy's words, realizing there might be more to the story. "Was there anything else unusual that happened during that time?" she inquired.
Buffy recalled a significant detail. "Actually, I had a Slayer dream while I was awake," she revealed.
"A Slayer dream?" Paige asked.
Dawn chimed in with an explanation. ""Merrick told Buffy when she told him she had dreams, mostly of past Slayers that had gone up against Lothos," she said, "that they were Slayer dreams that every Slayer gets them."
Paige's curiosity deepened. "A Slayer dream... Interesting. I'll be right back," she said, promptly orbing out of the kitchen.
Giles Apartment
Paige materialized in the middle of Giles' living room, catching his attention. "Rupert," she said.
Giles, startled by her sudden appearance, looked up from the book he was engrossed in. "Paige, what brings you here?" he inquired.
Paige took a seat, a sense of urgency in her voice. "Do Slayers experience prophetic dreams of either the past or the future?" she asked directly.
Giles furrowed his brow, considering the question. "Not to my knowledge. Why do you ask?" he responded, genuinely curious.
"Dawn mentioned that Buffy has something called 'Slayer dreams,'" Paige explained. "She said that Merrick, Buffy's previous Watcher, informed them that all Slayers have these dreams."
"And these dreams have prophetic qualities?" Giles sought clarification.
Paige nodded, settling further into her seat. "Yes, that's right."
Giles contemplated the implications, connecting the dots. "I would venture to guess that we may have discovered Buffy's power," he speculated.
"You mean she has the gift of premonition?" Paige inquired, a mix of surprise and intrigue in her voice. "But how did she experience these so-called prophetic dreams even before her powers were unbound?"
"When Buffy became the Slayer, it's possible that the essence or nature of her Slayer abilities found a way to circumvent the spell that initially bound her powers," Giles theorized.
Paige's eyes widened, beginning to see the potential connection. "If that's true, then you might be right," she acknowledged. "And Buffy had a premonition when she touched Amber earlier today."
Giles leaned forward, eager to understand the significance. "What makes you say that?"
Paige explained, her voice filled with conviction. "Because Buffy mentioned having a Slayer dream while she was awake during the cheerleading tryouts."
Giles absorbed the information, his mind racing with possibilities. "Did she appear hesitant or uncertain when we discussed this girl, Amber?" he asked, seeking further insight.
"That's precisely what caught my attention and prompted me to come back to Sunnydale tonight," Paige admitted. "I spoke with my sisters, and they speculated that Buffy might unknowingly possess the power of a Firestarter and accidentally used her abilities on Amber. Then, when I talked to Buffy and Dawn, she revealed the details about her so-called Slayer dream."
Giles nodded, recognizing the importance of the revelation. "You should return and question Buffy further about this premonition," he suggested. "It may lead us to the culprit behind the attack."
"Agreed," Paige concurred, her determination evident. With that, she swiftly orbed out of Giles' apartment, ready to seek the answers that would uncover the truth.
Summers Home
Paige materialized in the kitchen, expecting to find her charges there, but they were nowhere in sight. Determined to find them, she made her way to the living room, where she discovered Buffy, Dawn, and Joyce gathered together.
"I think we've uncovered Buffy's witch power, and it seems she has possessed it since she became a Slayer," Paige announced, capturing everyone's attention.
Confusion and disbelief filled the room. Joyce spoke up, trying to make sense of the situation. "But Buffy's powers, along with mine and Dawn's, were bound. Remember?"
Paige nodded, acknowledging the valid point. "That's true, but Rupert theorized that whatever made Buffy a Slayer found a loophole in the binding spell. It gave her in the form of a dream her power of Premonition. Rupert told me there is no such thing as Slayer dreams, that Merrick may have, well not lied because he didn't know the truth, but told you the only plausible explanation he could come with. That the Slayer had given you these dreams."
Buffy absorbed the revelation, her mind racing with newfound understanding. "So, that's what my power is? Premonitions?"
Paige nodded; her expression serious. "Yes, that's correct. "You can see the future and on rare occasions the past. Just like when you faced Lothos. Buffy, I need to know—what did you see in your premonition?"
Buffy hesitated, trying to recall the images vividly. "I'm not entirely certain. I saw a person, possibly a girl, but it was hard to make out the details. She wore a black cloak, with a hood concealing her face. I sensed she was casting some sort of spell, but I couldn't hear the actual words."
Joyce chimed in, adding her insights to the discussion. "It seems like it might be a witch. Perhaps someone who wanted to shield herself from Buffy's powers or another witch who possesses the gift of premonition. By hiding her appearance, she sought to remain safe from detection."
Author's Note: I had debated giving Buffy another power, an active power instead of a passive power. But when it came to the episode The Witch I knew with Buffy and Dawn being witches that alone would change things. For one Giles' test to detect a witch. There was never a mention in Charmed of a way to test to see if someone was a witch, doesn't mean there wasn't one either of course. So how would I work around that issue, then I thought about the Slayer dreams, which Buffy had in the early seasons (in later seasons they pretty much disappear) and I thought I'd use my explanation that I used in Another Halliwell where the Slayer Dreams are actually her Premonition power acting while she was asleep. This gets Buffy the information she needs to find out Amy is the witch later in this arc.