Chapter 6: The Witch Part 2
March 19, 1997 – Wednesday
Sunnydale High School
"Despite the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday," one of the cheerleaders seated at the judges' table addressed the participants, "we still need to select new cheerleaders. If you make the squad, your names will be posted in the Quad after lunch. Let's begin with the group performance—Cordelia, Buffy, Amy, Morgan, and Lishanne."
The five girls stepped forward, positioning themselves at the center of the gymnasium. Amy couldn't help but voice her nervousness. "Why do my hands have to get all sweaty when I'm anxious?"
Buffy offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Amy. You'll do great." Secretly, Buffy wondered if any of her fellow cheerleaders were the witch Paige had alluded to. If her newfound power of premonition held true, she hoped for an accidental encounter that would reveal the witch's true identity.
As the tape player began, the girls commenced their choreographed routine, delivering the cheer with synchronized movements and spirited voices. However, during the performance, Amy missed a crucial step and accidentally bumped into Cordelia.
"You all saw that, right? It wasn't my fault," Cordelia exclaimed, clearly frustrated by the mishap.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
After the conclusion of the tryouts, Amy, still clad in her cheerleader outfit, stood before a display case filled with trophies, her gaze fixed on a particular photograph. Buffy emerged from the locker room and approached Amy, glancing down at the picture she was captivated by.
"That's my mom," Amy revealed.
"No..." Buffy uttered, reading the name on the placard beneath the photo. "Catherine Madison. Get down with your bad self."
"Her nickname was Catherine The Great. She took that team and turned them into tri-county champions. No one has ever done that before or since. She and my dad were homecoming King and Queen, and they got married right after graduation," Amy shared, a mix of pride and sadness in her voice.
"That's kind of romantic," Buffy remarked.
"Well... he turned out to be a big loser. Couldn't make any money and ran off with Miss Trailer Trash when I was twelve," Amy replied, a tinge of bitterness seeping into her words.
Buffy shook her head sympathetically. "Okay, that part's less romantic. My mom and step-dad also went their separate ways. Neither my mom nor I knew that my step-dad wasn't my real dad until recently. We found him, though. He's a nice guy, has a wife and two sons."
"Drag, huh," Amy sighed. "My dad left my mom with nothing. But she put herself through cosmetology school, bought me everything I ever wanted, and never gained a single pound..."
"She sounds amazing, Amy. But that doesn't mean you have to follow in her footsteps when it comes to cheerleading," Buffy reassured.
Amy turned to Buffy, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's just... she was the best, and I can't make my body move like hers. I choked so badly in there." With that, she turned and headed toward the locker room, passing by Willow. "I... I got to get changed..." she called back to Buffy.
"Hi, Amy..." Willow greeted, she noticed Amy's distressed state Amy walked into the locker room. She turned toward Buffy. "Is she okay?"
"She's upset about her mother," Buffy explained, gesturing toward the photo. "The big cheer queen back in the day."
Understanding washed over Willow's face. "Yeah, her mom's kind of…"
"Nazi-like?" Buffy suggested.
"Heil. If Amy gains an ounce, her mom locks up the fridge and insists on nothing but broth," Willow revealed.
Buffy let out a sigh. "So Mommie Dearest is really... Mommie Dearest."
"There's definitely a bitter streak, but Amy's nice. We used to hang out in Junior High. Whenever her mom went on a broth kick, Amy would come to my house, and we'd indulge in brownies," Willow reminisced.
"What did you find out about Amber?" Buffy inquired, shifting the conversation.
"Nothing too exciting," Willow replied, pulling out a paper from her bag. "She's an average student, got detention once for smoking—actual cigarette smoking, not being smoky. All pretty normal."
"So, either this is a power she struggles to control, and in the excitement of the tryouts, she lost control, or she's not the witch we're looking for," Buffy concluded, contemplating their options.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Buffy, Dawn, Willow, and Xander navigated through the bustling lunchtime crowds, eagerly anticipating the moment when the cheerleading squad list would be posted. They noticed a cheerleader making her way toward the bulletin board, clutching the list as girls began to gather around.
"Hey, they're posting the list!" Xander exclaimed, as they caught up to Amy and Cordelia.
"I can't handle this," Amy expressed her anxiety.
"Cover me, I'm going in," Xander declared, diving into the throng of people. He maneuvered his way to the front and scanned the names. Moments later, he emerged from the crowd.
"Cordy, you made it!" he announced.
"You got lucky," Cordelia remarked to Amy.
"What about me?" Amy anxiously asked Xander. "Did I make it?"
"You made it too, and so did you, Buffy," he replied. "Buffy, you're the first alternate, and Amy, you're the third alternate."
Amy's spirits sank as she looked down and walked away in disappointment.
"What better way to celebrate than with a romantic drive-through for two at—" Xander began, but Willow interrupted him.
"Xander, alternates are the ones who didn't make the team. They only fill in if something happens to the ones who did," Willow explained.
"Excuse me," Buffy interjected, approaching Amy, who had only moved a short distance.
"For I am Xander, King of the Cretins, and all lesser cretins must bow before me," Xander tried to lighten the mood.
"It's okay, Xander," Dawn reassured him. "You didn't know."
"At least it's over," Buffy said to Amy. "And you know what I think we should do about it? Brownie pig-out at my house, right now."
Amy let out a sigh. "How many more hours a day can I practice? How much more can I do? This would never have happened to my mom. Never." With that, she turned and ran off, watched by Buffy.
"Buffy!" Paige's voice called out, catching Buffy's attention. Paige was approaching from across the quad. "Any news?" she inquired when she reached Buffy.
"No," Buffy replied with a sigh. "But one thing we do know for sure, according to Willow, is that Amber doesn't have a history, at least as far as the school is concerned, of an uncontrollable power. Of course, it doesn't prove anything. But if she had this power, someone would have likely witnessed it before."
"Unless the Cleaners erased their memories of it," Paige suggested. "Have you asked around to see what people remember about yesterday?"
"No, I didn't think of that," Buffy admitted.
"I did," Paige revealed. "The banner you used is back in its place, and it doesn't look like it was used to extinguish the flames. Also, the people I spoke to said you ran up to Amber before yelling at someone to call 911. The current report is that Amber broke her leg."
"These Cleaners sometimes overlook important details," Buffy remarked. "Amber was stretching beforehand. It wouldn't be so easy for her to break her leg."
"I agree, but that's what everyone is saying," Paige confirmed. "So, apart from you, Xander, Willow, Dawn, Giles, myself, and this witch, no one remembers that Amber caught on fire."
"So, we start asking around..." Buffy began to suggest.
"No," Paige interrupted. "This witch would realize that the Cleaners did their job and would make sure to follow the same story that everyone else has been talking about. We'll have to rely on you getting another premonition to identify her."
Summers Home
Buffy tossed and turned in her bed, her mind restless as she drifted into a deep slumber. As sleep overtook her, her subconscious took her on a journey fueled by her romantic interest in Paige.
In her dream, Buffy found herself in the Sunnydale High School library. The shelves were filled with books, and the room was bathed in a warm, golden light. She walked through the aisles, searching for something, or perhaps someone.
And there, standing amidst the stacks of books, was Paige. Her vibrant presence illuminated the room, capturing Buffy's attention immediately. Paige turned and smiled at Buffy, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. Buffy's heart skipped a beat as their gazes met, a magnetic pull drawing them closer.
They approached each other slowly, their steps filled with anticipation. Buffy's hand reached out, gently brushing against Paige's fingertips. A surge of electricity coursed through her body, igniting a fire within her soul.
Paige's touch felt electrifying, sending shivers down Buffy's spine. Their hands intertwined; fingers entangled in an intimate embrace. Buffy's heart raced with excitement as they leaned closer, their lips inching towards each other.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still as their lips finally met in a tender kiss. It was soft, sweet, and filled with the promise of a deep connection. Buffy felt an overwhelming sense of love and desire, her heart overflowing with emotions she had long kept hidden.
March 20, 1997 – Thursday
Summers Home
Buffy woke up with a perplexed expression on her face, her mind still lingering in the realm of dreams. The recurring image of Paige occupied her thoughts, leaving her puzzled and searching for answers. She couldn't help but wonder why she kept dreaming about Paige.
As she prepared for the day, Buffy couldn't shake the lingering emotions from her dreams. There was something different about those dreams, something that made her heart race and her cheeks flush. It wasn't just the usual Slayer visions or prophetic glimpses. No, these dreams felt personal, intimate even.
Sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast, Buffy tried to dissect the dreams, hoping to make sense of the inexplicable connection she felt towards Paige. She replayed the scenarios in her mind, analyzing every interaction, every stolen glance, and every gentle touch. The dreams were filled with an unspoken chemistry, a magnetic pull that drew them closer.
But why Paige? Buffy questioned herself. Paige was her friend and her Whitelighter. They shared a bond, but it was platonic. Or so she thought. Buffy wondered if there was more beneath the surface, if her subconscious was trying to reveal hidden desires she hadn't acknowledged before.
Halliwell Manor
Paige awoke to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. As she descended the stairs, she found her sisters, Phoebe and Piper, already seated at the kitchen table, savoring their cups of java.
"Any more left?" Paige asked, her voice tinged with a hint of morning grogginess.
"Help yourself," Piper replied, gesturing towards the coffee maker.
Grateful for the offer, Paige made her way to the counter, pouring herself a steaming cup before joining her sisters at the table.
Phoebe couldn't contain her curiosity. "Any updates on the elusive witch?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Paige sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. "No, nothing new," she admitted. "And Buffy has gotten no new premonitions either. The one she got suggests the witch knew that someone might try and discover her through a power like Buffy's or maybe through telepathy or a scrying power. We had hoped another victim might bump into Buffy and she might get another premonition. But there were no other victims."
"Which makes it possible," Piper said. "That the girl that was attack may have been the only target."
"It's possible," Paige sighed as she took a sip of her coffee. "If it was, then it is likely we may not find the witch."
Piper interjected, her tone practical and determined. "Regardless, we should be prepared. I'll start working on a binding potion just in case. When you call and let me know you need it, I'll be ready. Once you orb me to Sunnydale, I can freeze the witch long enough to administer the potion."
Paige nodded, appreciating Piper's proactive approach. "That sounds like a solid plan," she agreed, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Well, I better get going to Sunnydale then."
With a sense of purpose, Paige swiftly finished her coffee, savoring the rich flavor, and stood up from the table. The familiar sensation of orbing enveloped her, transporting her to Sunnydale.
Sunnydale High School
"Cordy?" Xander's voice trembled with concern as he walked alongside Cordelia, who seemed to be moving slower and less confidently than usual. They were accompanied by Willow, who couldn't quite fathom how Cordelia and Xander had ended up together. She couldn't deny the truth, though. She was now alone in her resentment toward Cordelia, and her own feelings for Xander seemed futile in comparison.
At that moment, Buffy turned the corner and joined the group, her attention immediately drawn to Cordelia, who had stopped at her locker and was struggling with the combination dial. A sudden stumble caught everyone's attention.
"Cordy?" Xander's voice grew more urgent, seeking an explanation for her sudden change in demeanor.
"Xander? I… I think… I'm," Cordelia replied, her voice tinged with fear. She turned to face them and as she did her eyes went suddenly and startlingly white. "Blind. Oh god, I can't see."
Buffy, in both comfort and desire to reveal the witch that had done this, laid her hand on Cordelia's shoulder. A jolt ran through her body, and her vision blurred. She found herself engulfed in a premonition, a glimpse into the witch's wicked actions.
In her mind, Buffy witnessed the witch standing before a cauldron, holding a doll dressed in a cheerleader's uniform. The doll was dropped with disdain, and then, with a chilling smile, the witch pulled back her hood, revealing her identity.
"Amy," Buffy gasped as she emerged from the premonition, her voice filled with certainty. "The witch is Amy."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"Blinding your enemy to disable and disorient them is a classic move," Giles remarked, his voice filled with a mix of concern and analytical thinking, as they gathered in the library, contemplating their next steps. "But it's not a strategy employed by a witch solely driven by personal gain."
Paige, nodding in agreement, added her insights to the discussion. "It's highly likely that the Cleaners have already manipulated everyone's memories, making them believe that Cordelia has always been blind. If we can undo the witch's magic, it should restore Cordelia's sight."
Dawn, eager to contribute, raised a valid point. "What about Amber?"
Paige considered Dawn's question and replied, "Given the fabricated narrative surrounding Amber's broken foot, it seems they've already altered reality to hide her burnt hands. Reversing that spell might not be necessary. Though I would suggest doing it anyways when we reverse the other spells, because at least then she wouldn't have a broken foot. Anyways we'll need Amy's book if we are to reverse these spells. Rupert, I suggest you take Dawn and Buffy to Amy's house and retrieve the book. Meanwhile, I'll orb to San Francisco and bring Piper, who has been brewing a binding potion. Once Piper uses her powers on the witch, we can seize the opportunity to force the potion down her throat and bind her powers."
Halliwell Manor
Paige orbed into the kitchen, finding Piper tending to a pot on the stove. "Is it ready?" she asked, anticipation in her voice.
Piper turned to face Paige, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Just about," she replied, stirring the contents of the pot. "Did you manage to locate the witch?"
Nodding, Paige relayed the recent developments. "Another student was targeted," she explained. "Cordelia, a friend of Buffy's. She lost her sight during the attack. But when Buffy touched Cordelia to offer comfort, she had another premonition. She saw the witch responsible. Right now, Dawn and Rupert are accompanying Buffy to retrieve Amy's book—the witch's name—and they will meet us back at the school. Dawn will perform the reversal spells while you stand ready to freeze, and I'll have the binding potion at hand. Buffy will keep the witch distracted."
Piper's eyes gleamed with approval. "That's a good plan," she affirmed. "
Madison Home
Giles approached Amy's house, accompanied by Buffy and Dawn. Peering through a window near the front door, the sisters caught a glimpse of Amy's mother, Catherine, startled by the knocking sound. Their suspicions grew as they noticed her hastily sliding something under a table before heading towards the door. Bracing themselves, Buffy and Dawn stepped back from the window as Catherine opened the door.
"What do you want? Is something wrong?" Catherine asked, her tone defensive and guarded.
"Mrs. Madison, we need to talk to you about your daughter," Giles stated firmly.
Catherine shook her head, trying to dismiss them. "I'm not allowed to—you'll have to come back," she stammered, attempting to shut the door.
Buffy, employing her Slayer strength, prevented the door from closing completely as she, Giles, and Dawn swiftly entered the house. They were determined to get to the bottom of Amy's dangerous actions.
"Your daughter is involved in something incredibly perilous," Giles continued, his voice weighted with concern. "Are you aware of what she's been up to?"
Catherine feigned ignorance, her expression a mask of denial. "I don't know what you're talking about," she claimed.
Dawn, with a mix of frustration and sympathy, interjected, "I highly doubt that. After all, she is your daughter."
Buffy, her eyes narrowing, scrutinized Catherine intently. Something felt off about the situation.
Giles, resolute and unyielding, spoke sternly, "There is a girl that is now blind at school. Another was burned. So, you will listen to us, whether you like it or not."
"Your daughter," Dawn said, "is a powerful dark witch. Somehow your obsession with cheerleading has made her –"
"I don't care about cheerleading!" Catherine said as tears began to form. "It's not my fault she's doing stuff."
"As her mother, you should accept some responsibility for her actions," Giles said.
Catherine's response was unexpected as she burst into laughter. "Well, these kids today..." she trailed off.
Buffy's intuition kicked in, prompting her to take a step back and investigate what lay hidden beneath the table. "Dawn?" she called out.
Dawn approached Buffy and peered beneath the table, discovering a plate of brownies. Realization dawned on both of them simultaneously. "You're Amy," they declared in unison.
Catherine recoiled in shock, her eyes widening at being exposed. The truth had come to light.
Giles, perplexed, voiced his confusion. "I don't understand..."
Dawn stepped forward, connecting the dots. "Mrs. Madison switched bodies with Amy."
Buffy moved the table aside and picked up the plate of brownies, emphasizing her point. "Only a child afraid of their parent would hide them. An adult wouldn't have a reason to. Amy's mom stole Amy's body and put Amy in her own. She wanted to relive her glory days as 'Catherine the Great.'"
Giles, grappling with the revelation, uttered a breathless exclamation. "Good lord..."
Catherine, tears welling in her eyes, found a seat on the couch. "I didn't understand," she confessed, her voice filled with a mix of pain and resignation. "She said I was wasting my youth, so she took it. I didn't know about her powers. When my dad was still here, they would fight, and he called her a witch. I thought he meant something else. But when he left, I wanted to go with him. She wouldn't even let me call. She got crazy, locking herself upstairs for days and taking her frustrations out on me. She said I didn't deserve an easy life, that I didn't know the hardships she faced. I guess she showed me, huh?"
Dawn, empathetic, reassured her, "Amy, it's going to be okay."
Catherine continued her painful confession, recounting her experiences. "A few months ago, I woke up in her bed, disoriented and unsure of my surroundings. When I looked in the mirror..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of the situation pressing upon her.
Giles, seeking clarity, inquired, "She locked herself upstairs. Where?"
"She has a room in the attic," Catherine revealed.
Buffy's recollection aligned with the information. "Makes sense. Paige said that her family kept their book in the attic. It's not a place many people would think to search. They'd focus on the more public areas of the house."
Giles urged Catherine, "Show us."
Reluctantly, Catherine led them upstairs to the attic door. It stood locked, but Buffy, harnessing her Slayer strength, forced it open. Together, they stepped into the attic, where a collection of dolls caught Giles' attention.
"If she finds out I've been in here she'll kill me," Catherine said.
"My God… I believe we can reverse your mother's spell. All of them, in fact," Giles declared with newfound determination.
Catherine's eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope. "You really could?" she asked, her voice laced with cautious optimism.
"Yes," Buffy answered. Realizing their next step, focused on finding Amy's book. "But we need that book, her Book of Shadows. Where would she keep it?"
Catherine hesitated. "I... I don't know," she admitted.
As they searched the attic, Giles, Buffy, and Dawn eventually stumbled upon a trunk. Giles turned to Dawn, instructing her, "Collect the dolls and anything else you think we'll need."
Just as Giles prepared to open the trunk, a cat leaped out from within, screeching and startling him. Jumping back, he watched as the cat darted out of the room. "Nice kitty..." he muttered under his breath. Gathering himself, he peered into the trunk, a sense of triumph filling him. "What were you guarding? Ah, yes..." he reached inside and retrieved the Book of Shadows. "This is it."
Their mission accomplished, they, along with Catherine, embarked on the journey back to the school. The book in their possession held the key to reversing the spells and stopping Amy's mother from her goal.
Sunnydale High School
When they entered the science lab, Paige and Piper were already waiting. Paige noticed the book in their hands and spoke up, "Good, you have her book. We can reverse her magic. Now, who do we have here?"
Dawn stepped forward and introduced Catherine. "This is Amy," she said. "The real Amy, Mrs. Madison switched her body for Amy's."
Piper's eyes widened at the revelation. "We might be able to reverse that spell ourselves," she said, deep in thought before looking at Paige. "Remember the soul-switching potion you made when you were first learning?"
Paige nodded, realization dawning on her. "Of course! I'll orb back to the Manor and get the ingredients." With a quick orb, Paige disappeared, returning thirty minutes later with the necessary components. "Got them," she announced. She turned to Dawn. "While I make this potion, I need you to reverse Mrs. Madison's spells." She then passed a potion to Giles. "Piper is going to freeze, and we're going to need you to force this down Mrs. Madison's throat once her soul is back in her body."
Giles nodded, taking the potion from Paige. "Got it," he affirmed.
Paige shifted her attention to Buffy, giving her further instructions. "Buffy, you need to keep Catherine distracted once the spell is reversed."
As Paige worked on her potion, Dawn focused on hers. As she read through the book, she discovered an unfamiliar chant. Perplexed, she called out to Paige, "This doesn't look like any kind of spell you've mentioned."
Paige examined the book and the spell closely, her brows furrowing. "Interesting," she muttered. "The spell calls on Hecate. I don't think..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Piper.
Piper joined her sister by the book, reading the accompanying spell for Dawn's potion. Her eyes widened as she made a connection. "You're right," she exclaimed. "I've never seen a spell like this before. Of course, this is the first time since…" and then she stopped as she remembered the Grimoire. "Paige, touch the book."
Curiosity piqued, Paige reached out and touched the book, following Piper's suggestion.
"As I thought," Piper confirmed. "Remember the Grimoire? It had protection against good magic. A dark witch would likely have similar safeguards on her book. Buffy, Dawn, did either of you touch this book?"
Buffy shook her head, puzzled. "No, Giles picked it up. Why?"
Piper's realization became clearer as she explained, "I believe the witch is a progenitor, not an actual dark witch. She can still cast spells and may possess limited powers, but she's not a gifted witch like the four of us. Otherwise, her book would have protections against us."
When they entered the science lab, Paige and Piper were already waiting. Paige noticed the book in their hands and spoke up, "Good, you have her book. We can reverse her magic. Now, who do we have here?"
Dawn stepped forward and introduced Amy, clarifying that Mrs. Madison had switched bodies with her. Piper's eyes widened at the revelation.
"We might be able to reverse that spell ourselves," Piper said, deep in thought. "Remember the soul-switching potion you made when you were first learning?"
Paige nodded, realization dawning on her. "Of course! I'll orb back to the Manor and get the ingredients." With a quick orb, Paige disappeared, returning thirty minutes later with the necessary components. "Got them," she announced.
She turned to Dawn and handed her a potion, instructing her, "While I make this potion, I need you to reverse Mrs. Madison's spells." Paige then passed another potion to Giles. "Piper is going to freeze, and we're going to need you to force this down Mrs. Madison's throat once her soul is back in her body."
Giles nodded, taking the potion from Paige. "Got it," he affirmed.
Paige shifted her attention to Buffy, giving her further instructions. "Buffy, you need to keep Catherine distracted once the spell is reversed."
As Paige worked on her potion, Dawn focused on hers. As she read through the book, she discovered an unfamiliar chant. Perplexed, she called out to Paige, "This doesn't look like any kind of spell you've mentioned before."
Paige examined the book and the spell closely, her brows furrowing. "Interesting," she muttered. "The spell calls on Hecate. I don't think..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Piper.
Piper joined her sister by the book, reading the accompanying spell for Dawn's potion. Her eyes widened as she made a connection. "You're right," she exclaimed. "I've never seen a spell like this before. It's reminiscent of the Grimoire's unique protection."
Curiosity piqued, Paige reached out and touched the book, following Piper's suggestion. "As I thought," Piper confirmed. "Remember the Grimoire? It had protection against good magic. A dark witch would likely have similar safeguards on her book. Buffy, Dawn, did either of you touch this book?"
Buffy shook her head, puzzled. "No, Giles picked it up. Why?"
Piper's realization became clearer as she explained, "I believe the witch is a progenitor, not an actual dark witch. She may still cast spells and possess limited powers, but she's not a gifted witch like the four of us. Otherwise, her book would have protections against us."
"What does that mean?" Dawn inquired.
"That means Amy is the gifted witch," Piper said, her voice filled with realization. She turned to Catherine, addressing her directly. "Amy, if your mother is a progenitor, then you must be the gifted one. The beginning of our magical family line was Charlotte Warren, a progenitor. Her daughter Melinda was gifted, and the powers that Paige and I have were passed down from Melinda. It's highly likely that you have your own powers, and your mother may have bound them at one point, only to unbind them when she stole your body. Once you're back in your own body, you'll likely be assigned a Whitelighter."
Paige returned her attention to the soul swapping potion. "Okay, now it's time for the last ingredient," she said, holding out her hand to Catherine. "Only you can add it. Speak clearly that you want to be you again."
Catherine nodded, taking the ingredient from Paige. She took a deep breath and uttered the words, "I want to be me again." With that, she dropped the powdered toadstool into the bubbling potion. She swayed for a moment before looking around, visibly confused.
"Catherine Madison?" Buffy addressed Catherine, breaking her confusion. "Good to see you back in your own body. Piper, now!"
Piper raised her hands, freezing Catherine in place while Giles rushed over and forced the potion down her throat. As He stepped away, Catherine unfroze and sputtered. "What did you do to me?" she inquired.
"We bound your magic," Paige explained firmly. "And we've also contacted social services. They should be at your house soon, gathering evidence to have your daughter taken away from you due for child abuse."
Catherine attempted to cast a spell but realized her powers had been truly bound. She stood face-to-face with other witches and knew she couldn't win. Not as a mortal, at least. With a defeated look, she turned and ran out of the room, passing Amy, Xander, and Willow as they entered.
"It worked," Amy said, a smile gracing her face.
"Now we just need to reverse the spell on Cordelia and Amber," Dawn stated. She recited the incantation, adding the necessary ingredient. "Hear me. Unlock the gate, let the darkness shine. Cover us with holy fear. Show me. Corsheth and Gilail, the gate is closed. Receive the dark, release the unworthy... Take my energy and be sated!" She plunged her hands into the potion, then pulled them back out. "Be sated! Release the unworthy! Release!"
Buffy turned to Amy, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Amy nodded, a sense of relief washing over her. "I'm fine," she assured them. "And happy to be back in my own body."
Piper chimed in, reminding them of the actions they had taken. "We've also contacted social services while we were waiting for you. You won't have to go back to her."
"I think Cordy's blindness has been reversed," Dawn said. "Of course, it was my first spell casting; I may have got it wrong."
"Seeing how it is unlike anything we've ever seen before," Paige said. "Who knows for sure?"
Xander spoke up, noting the uncertainty surrounding Cordelia's condition. "I'll check on Cordy. She's still in the library." With that, he left the room to attend to Cordelia's well-being.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Xander entered the library, his heart pounding with a mix of worry and anticipation. Cordelia sat alone at the nearby table, her head tilted down, lost in her own thoughts. He approached her slowly, unsure of how she would react after the ordeal she had been through.
"Cordy?" Xander called out softly, his voice laced with concern. "It's me, Xander."
Cordelia looked up at the sound of his voice, her eyes searching for him. When she spotted him, a flicker of recognition and relief flashed across her face. "Xander!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and happiness. "You're here."
Xander closed the distance between them, a rush of emotions welling up inside him. He took a seat beside her, his gaze filled with genuine care. "Yeah, Cordy, I'm here," he said gently, reaching out to hold her hand. "How are you feeling?"
Cordelia smiled. "It is, Xander," she affirmed. "Everything's been so overwhelming. I thought I would never see again," she added, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
"You're strong, Cordy, and you've been through so much," Xander admitted. "I believe in you."
Tears welled up in Cordelia's eyes as she processed his words. She leaned in closer to him, seeking solace and support. "Thank you, Xander," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Xander's heart swelled with love for her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "You don't have to thank me, Cordy. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
Cordelia leaned into his embrace, finding comfort and strength in his presence. "I'm so lucky to have you, Xander," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine affection.
March 21, 1997 – Friday
Sunnydale High School
The next day, Buffy and Amy strolled through the bustling school hallway, engaged in a lighthearted conversation.
"My dad is so impossible," Amy vented, frustration evident in her voice. "He's overly protective, never wants me to go anywhere. It's like he wants to spend every waking moment together. I'm like, Dad, I can go out, it's perfectly safe. He's got all this guilt about leaving me with Mom, and it's becoming a total pain."
Buffy chuckled, understanding the dynamics of parental relationships all too well. "You're secretly loving it, aren't you?" she teased.
Amy grinned mischievously, nodding in agreement. "Every single minute."
As they walked, Cordelia approached them, acknowledging Buffy with a nod and exchanging a warm smile. The three of them found themselves alone in the middle of the bustling hallway, momentarily free from the crowds.
"Hey," Cordelia began, her tone sincere. "I'm really sorry you guys got bumped back to alternate."
Amy shrugged, dismissing the disappointment. "Well, I know I'll miss the intellectual thrill of spelling words out with my arms," she replied sarcastically. "Honestly, I was never really interested in cheerleading. It was all my mom's thing."
Cordelia nodded in understanding. "I know. Speaking of your mom, have you seen her lately?"
Amy shook her head, a hint of sadness crossing her face. "No, she left town. Didn't even go back to the house to gather her belongings. I think it's safe to say that until she finds a way to unbind her magic, she won't be coming back."
Cordelia's expression softened with relief. "That's good to hear," she said sincerely.
Amy let out a sigh of contentment. "Regardless, I'm just happy to have my body back. I'm thinking of indulging and maybe gaining a few pounds," she joked, lightening the mood.
Buffy joined in the laughter, adding her own playful remark. "Well, that look is in for spring."
Author's Note: The next chapter is the Charmed Episode Scry Hard. Just to note this won't be like Another Halliwell or Last Halliwell where every other chapter is one from either series or the other. The story takes place mostly on the Buffy side of things. But just as there are guest appearances of Phoebe or Piper along with Paige and Leo in BTVS episodes the reverse will be true for some of the major episodes of Charmed such as the season 7 finale, and the season 8 premiere. Scry Hard is for Buffy though an introduction more or less to the family and the Charmed version of demons.