Chapter 1: A Plan of Sorts

Lord Voldemort's Lair

An entrance to an underground dwelling sat in the middle of a forest, known as The Forbidden Forest. The forest grew darker, as if it wasn't dark enough already. Through the darkness, no man would have seen what a lone black dog saw.

Crouching close to the ground, so as not to make a sound, he spotted a small rat scurrying up to a large oak tree; before his very eyes, the rat transformed into a relatively short man. This man was an animagi, a person who could change into an animal at will.

While muttering indistinguishable words to himself, he crept up to the tree. While tapping the tree trunk with a wand, he uttered an incantation. At this point, the dog saw an opening appear. With wide eyes he stepped back, making the bushes rustle.

The man heard the noise and slowly turned to look out; pitch black was all he saw. He turned back towards the opening to see a spiral staircase leading down, which he followed with a light emanating from his wand. The dog, watched as the entrance closed. I've found him. The dog smirked, then turned and ran in the opposite direction, exiting the forest.

"Wormtail, good…you're here. I was beginning to wonder." A man cloaked all in black, whose name struck fear in everyone, approached his servant.

"Yes, Master." Wormtail bowed before him. "How can I be of service?"

His master, known as Lord Voldemort, looked thoughtful before answering. "Go and collect these items." Voldemort handed him a piece of paper before continuing, "I have plans to execute."

"I will do my best." Wormtail bowed and turned to leave.

Voldemort stopped him with a glare that could kill. "Do not return without these items. Understand?"

"Y-yes, Master." Wormtail quivered before Voldemort.

"Good." Voldemort turned and waved his hand to dismiss Wormtail. Without another word he exited the underground hideout.

Voldemort turned to face the darkest wall of the cave. After waving his hand and reciting a spell, he could see a man with bleach blonde hair through the wall. The night sky was dark and gloomy. The man appeared to be arguing with a tall blonde-haired woman.

Restfield Cemetery

"Buffy…" Spike tried to reason with her.

Buffy turned to face him, "No…Spike!" She barked at him and stalked off. He followed her without losing a beat.

"Please…just hear me out." Spike grabbed her arm and she turned to punch him, but he stopped her before she could strike. "Please…" He knew he was begging now, but he didn't care. After all, you have to make certain sacrifices for the ones you love.

She turned her back on him and crossed her arms over her chest. "Forget it, Spike, I'm with Riley."

"You may be with Soldier Boy, but you don't love him." He shook his finger at her before walking around to face her.

Buffy slowly lowered her hands as the shock and confusion entered her system. She narrowed her eyes, taking up a defensive posture. "What are you talking about?"

"I've seen you…" Spike stated; but at the look on her face he thought to add, "With him, I mean."

Buffy's mind was slowly becoming overwhelmed, so she latched onto the one thing she saw as a threat, "You've been stalking me? I should dust you for that alone." She scowled at him.

"Look, Slayer…" He gritted out, "I've been watching your back…that's all."

"I think I can watch my own back, thank you."

"Just think about what I said. You may want your life to be normal and Soldier Boy's as close as you're gonna get, but he's not what you need…"

"Don't say it, Spike!" She yelled at him, before running off to kill some of the undead.

"Stop running from the truth!" Spike hollered after her fleeing form, as he shrunk back into the shadows.

Buffy grew angrier with every passing minute. Her anger was released through the dusting of a passing vampire; one that she didn't realize was a vamp until it dusted. Shaking herself back to the present, she put up her stake, before she really hurt someone. With all that anger coursing through her veins she could have been capable of anything.

She was walking in a daze, not really caring where she ended up. I can't believe he said that. Unbelievable… She was still fuming, when a thought occurred to her, What if it's true? She scowled, not wanting to keep entertaining those thoughts, but finding that easier said than done. She continued to walk at a very brisk pace and before she knew it, she had stopped walking to find herself at Giles' flat.

The first thing she noticed when approaching the flat, was the light emanating from the living room. Good, he's awake. She bit her lip and rapped lightly on the door, before she could talk herself out of it.

On the inside, Giles was sitting at his desk reading through some books. "Who could that be at this hour?" He mumbled as he went to answer the door. Standing in front of him was Buffy.

"Buffy…is something wrong?" Giles could feel that something was not right with his Slayer.

"No…why would you think that?" she threw up her hands as she crossed the threshold.

He moved aside to let her enter. "Well, for starters…you knocked."

She smiled up at him and proceeded to sit on the couch. "Give me some credit, Giles."

"Sorry…" He was quick to apologize. "So, everything's fine, then?"

She bit her lower lip, "Well, not…not exactly." She lowered her face and started playing with her fingers.

He sat on the couch next to her. "Well, then…let's have it, what's wrong?"

Buffy was about to jump right in, but something held her back. She couldn't put her finger on it. She just felt very self-conscious and confused. Thinking back, she knew she could trust Giles, but she still couldn't bring herself to voice her fears; feeling that voicing them might make them more real. "I'm just thinking about a few things, that's all." She shrugged trying to make it seem like no big deal.

"Please, Buffy. Look at me." He held her chin and raised her face to look into her eyes. "I know it's more than that."

The look in his eyes, the love she saw there made the tears well up in her eyes. No I won't cry. She scolded herself and forced them back. "Giles, it's just that…well," She stopped to breathe and relax her muscles, with a sigh, she continued, "A few things Spike said…I guess they're getting to me."

"Come now, they can't be that bad." He could see that she had succumbed to tears and it broke his heart to see her looking so fragile and scared. He silently cursed the vampire. "What, exactly, did he say to you?" Giles braced himself for the worst.

Spike had told her so many things, that she was at a loss for what to say. Eventually, she decided on the lesser evil, so to speak. "My Slayer abilities, are they…I mean, did they…" She couldn't bring herself to finish the question.

Luckily for her, he knew where she was going with it…and swore that Spike would pay for making Buffy doubt herself. He took his glasses off and looked thoughtful for a moment. "I don't really recall. I know they were created to battle evil, but I suppose, it would depend on how the person were to use these abilities." Giles replaced his glasses and took another look at Buffy. She continued to look down, too afraid of what she would see in his eyes if she faced him.

"That's not all, is it?" He looked down at her and saw nothing but sadness. How he wished he could take her in his arms and wipe away all the sadness and pain that she had to deal with. This is crazy, why is she really here? No, stop that thought, right there. He admonished himself, before he moved into uncharted territory. Then something occurred to him, it was as if a light bulb had turned on. "It's about Riley, isn't it?"

"Um…" She seemed very reluctant to answer, that in itself was answer enough. When he though she wasn't going to answer, she rubbed her hand over her eyes, as though tired, and responded, "Yeah, sort of."

Upon this revelation, Giles found himself smiling secretly and hoping that she was finally waking up to other possibilities. Despite his growing feelings for her, he didn't wasn't to open that particular can of worms, "Well, then, my suggestion is that you speak with Willow. This isn't exactly my expertise." He found himself secretly hoping that she would stay.

Before standing, he lightly rubbed her back. Despite her frazzled state, she felt a jolt shoot down her spine at the touch. "But…Giles," She grabbed his hand before he could leave her side. He looked down at her as she continued, "That's just it. I found myself here."

He sensed that she had started to cry lightly. Against his better judgment, he sat back down. She still held his hand in a death grip and without thinking he reached out to cover her hand with his other one.

The contact sent her brain into overdrive as more tingles went through her system. What's happening? She didn't' understand. She started to shake slightly, while more tears fell down her face. She tried to stop the tears, but she felt scared and all of her thoughts were scrambled.

It broke his heart to see her like this, especially since his love for her ran deep. She let go of his hands in one fast motion, but before Giles had a chance to react, she wrapped her arms around him and held him close. He, in turn, tried to comfort her by rubbing her head and back. "Shhh…" He tried to soothe her, "Everything will work out."

When she stopped crying, she reluctantly released her hold on him and looked into his eyes, "Giles, I'm sorry."

He gave her a reassuring smile, "Don't be. Just try to get some sleep. Perhaps you can sort it all out in the morning. How does that sound?"

She nodded her head slowly to acknowledge that she agreed with his logic. As she stood she felt reluctant to leave, but followed Giles to the door regardless. After opening the door, she turned and gave Giles a quick kiss on his cheek, "Thanks, Giles."

Before he could say anything, Buffy quickly walked away. He stared after her retreating form. What just happened? Before closing the door a silly grin appeared on his face.

Hogwarts School Grounds

A black dog, covered in the darkness of the forest, appeared to be waiting for someone. A man, with a long white beard and a pointed hat approached the edge of the forest. The man was recognized as Albus Dumbledore and the dog left the sanctity of the forest.

"Well, my friend, what did you find?"

Before his eyes, the dog turned into a tall, ragged looking man, with a mustache. "His lair…I've found it." The man grinned wickedly.

"Are you certain, Sirius? We cannot afford any mistakes." Dumbledore was reluctant to believe that after all this time they had finally found Lord Voldemort.

"Never been more certain in my life." His vote of confidence was overwhelming, even for Dumbledore.

Then it's true. Voldemort has returned. After pacing for a few moments, he turned to face Sirius. "I think it might be best to see what he's up to. Stay close to him. Think you can do that?" Dumbledore asked hopefully.

"Just try and stop me." Sirius grinned and changed back into a dog. Without a second thought, he sped off through the forest. Dumbledore smiled as he watched the dogs fleeing form. Hopefully, this time they would stop Voldemort once and for all.

Lord Voldemort's Lair

"What do you mean, you couldn't get it!" Voldemort was screaming at the top of his lungs, "You incompetent little troll!" He was seething with anger. "Didn't I tell you not to return without all of them?"

"Y-yes, M-master." Wormtail was quivering where he stood.

"I should kill you, but…I won't. You will go and get the required item from Malfoy." Voldemort turned his back on Wormtail. "Oh, and don't fail me again. Now go!" Wormtail bowed and left without saying another word.

A black dog sat in the darkness watching the exchange between Voldemort and his servant. He squinted his eyes in anger, but managed to keep it in check. After all this was to be expected from the Dark Lord. After being there for days, he decided it was time to leave the sanctity of darkness and was running through the forest at full speed.

Chapter 2: Of Magick and Dreams

One Week Later

Buffy slowly opened her eyes as her dream ended. "Not again." She mumbled to herself as she dragged her butt out of bed. While taking a shower the dream came flooding back…

The moon was full and glowed brightly over the night sky. Buffy couldn't help, but look up and expect magickal occurrences that evening. Through the face of the moon, Buffy spotted an image…no, not an image, but a face. "Giles…" She whispered quietly.

Willow looked over at her friend and smiled, "Thinking of Giles again, are you?"

Buffy looked over at her with a sense of foreboding. Her eyes scrunched tightly as she thought that question through… She couldn't remember ever thinking about Giles that much, but maybe she did.

Before she could answer, Willow faded into the night. "Willow?" Buffy tried to run after her friend, but found herself in the training room of the Magic Box. Giles stood in front of her, waiting to begin the nights training session.

Buffy felt the earlier encounter dissipate as she started to train with Giles. "You must always be prepared for any kind of attack." Giles warned her.

"I'm always prepared." She answered with a mischievous grin. He gave her a warm smile before lunging in to attack. She caught his leg tripping him. As he fell to the ground, he grabbed her arm, taking her with him.

They fell to the ground, with her on top of him. "I thought you were always prepared?" Giles questioned her.

"Sorry…I wasn't expecting that." She answered with a grin, but still she didn't move. Their heads were moving closer and closer until they were bathed in darkness. When the lights came on, Buffy was alone, with no one in sight.

Now she stood in the shower thinking of him.

Willow sat at her desk preparing for her psych class when the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey, Will."

"Oh, Hey Buff, what's up?" Willow thought Buffy sounded sad, almost depressed, but not quite.

"I was just hoping we could get together tomorrow. You know, have a girl's day out." Buffy answered in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone. With any luck Willow wouldn't suspect anything.

"Are you OK?" No such luck…Willow was quickly becoming concerned. After all, this was unlike Buffy. To Willow, she seemed to be toting the line between sad and depressed pretty thin.

"Fine…never better; I just need to talk to you, that's all." Buffy tried to sound chipper but failed miserably, which only worried Willow more.

"Um…sure, say about 9 AM?"

"Thanks, Will…you're the best."

Throughout the day, Willow found it difficult to concentrate in her classes as her mind kept returning to her earlier conversation with Buffy. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. If nothing else, Buffy's behavior was very strange and unexpected.

That night Willow decided to tag along while Buffy patrolled. So she headed over to Buffy's house with a determination like no other. Dawn answered the door after one knock. "Hey, Dawnie; is Buffy Here?"

"Yeah, she's still here. Come on in." She moved aside for Willow to enter. "Maybe you can cheer her up. She's been sulking and moody all day." She added as an afterthought, before yelling up the stairs.

Buffy slowly descended the stairs in a bit of a daze. It was clear that her mind was elsewhere. Willow looked at her curiously, then to Dawn, who was watching Willow's expression. "See what I mean?"

"Yep…definitely not of the norm." she approached Buffy, "Hey, Buff…mind if I tag along?" When she didn't get a response she added, "So we can, you know, talk."

"Huh…" Buffy snapped out of her daze and was blinking her eyes rapidly. When she could focus better, she saw Willow looking at her rather oddly. Buffy couldn't seem to place the expression, nor did she know when Willow had arrived.

Willow looked at her friend with a shy smile, "I was worried about you. So I thought I could tag along…we can talk." She explained.

"Oh, sure, I was just leaving." Buffy smiled absently, before grabbing her coat and leaving with Willow following.

"You look lost, little girl." A male vampire approached them. Buffy didn't even look at him or respond; she just staked him and continued walking. This didn't escape Willow's radar, as she was watching Buffy closely.

"Buffy, what's wrong? And don't tell me nothing, I know you better than that."

"What if Spike's right?" She was half talking to herself, not really paying attention to Willow.

"What do you mean?" Willow spoke quietly, but it still aroused Buffy out of her mindless stupor.

Buffy glanced at Willow and sighed. She motioned for them to sit on a tombstone. Once seated, Buffy told Willow what Spike had said. Willow was quiet for so long that Buffy thought she wasn't' going to respond.

Willow glanced at Buffy, who kept her eyes glued to the ground. She looked so torn; Willow just wanted to comfort her friend. "You don't really believe that, do you?"

"How can I not?" Buffy glanced at Willow, before continuing, "He sees me differently than I see myself." She covered her eyes with her hands as though tired, "What if I don't really love Riley? I mean, I wanted things to be normal. Maybe in some strange twisted way, I convinced myself that I do love him. What if it's all been a lie?"

Tears slowly fell from Buffy's eyes. "That's a lot of what ifs…and besides what is 'normal' anyways? Everyone's different, everyone lives differently…you just have to figure out what 'normal' is for you."

Buffy wiped away her tears as she thought about the concept of 'normal'. She didn't get very far, as her dreams pushed their way to the surface of her mind. "There's more…" She took a deep breath and told Willow about her dreams.

"Oh…um," Willow was speechless. She wanted to help Buffy, but didn't know how. "Perhaps we should ask Giles. After all, he knows more about this than I do." After looking at Buffy's wide eyes, she prepared herself for the argument to come.

"No…I can't" Buffy stated firmly.

"Why not? I don't know how to help you, but Giles might." Willow rebuffed her.

Buffy continued her study of the ground. She was silent for so long that Willow thought she wouldn't answer. Willow stood to try and coax Buffy up, when Buffy spoke, "These dreams, they're not about just anyone." She whispered quietly.

It took Willow a moment for Buffy's meaning to sink in, "Oh! I wish I could help you, but dreams…not really my thing. Hence, Giles." Willow struggled to grab Buffy, but failed.

"But, what'll Giles say. I'm not sure I can face him." Buffy tried desperately to ignore the look in Willow's eyes. She could feel her own determination failing, just when she needed it.

"I know what you're thinking and you're wrong. If anything he'll be flattered, I'm sure of it. And besides, if we don't get to the bottom of this, you'll never know." Willow knew she was winning, and smiled to herself. "I'll go with you." She added, hoping Buffy had relented.

"You really think, he won't mind?" Buffy asked slowly. "The dreams, I mean." She clarified at Willow's confused look.

Willow smiled knowing Buffy had caved, "Of course not." She grabbed Buffy's hand and started heading in the direction of Giles' flat.

Buffy felt the hairs on her arms and neck stand to attention; she knew that something was wrong. Willow felt Buffy tense beside her and asked in a hushed whisper, "What's wrong?"

Buffy shook her head and put her finger to her lips in a pantomime for quiet. In the next moment they were surrounded by vampires. Willow tried to help Buffy fend off the creatures and she even managed to dust a couple, but soon they were overwhelmed.

Buffy found herself wishing that Giles were there. She knew he'd be able to tip the scales in their favor. Just when she was about to lose hope the vamp holding her down was dusted from behind. She looked up to see Riley standing above her.

"Thought you could use a hand." Riley helped Buffy to stand. She stared at him in shock until Willow's scream broke through her senses.

Buffy ran to Willow's aid, dusting several vamps on the way. With a high flying kick she was able to free Willow from her captors. Knowing they were in trouble, the remaining camps fled the scene.

Buffy helped Willow to stand, then glanced at Riley, who was approaching them. "You guys ok?"

"We're fine, thanks for the assist." Buffy answered with a small smile.

"Just glad I could help." He glanced around nervously before adding, "Actually, I was hoping to catch you on patrol."

"Really?" Buffy asked, when all she wanted was to tell Riley to take a hike.

Riley nodded, "Can I walk you home?"

"Sorry, but we have to see Giles." Buffy answered with a shrug.

"I'll go with you." He wasn't about to give up without a fight.

"Riley, please. This is Watcher/Slayer stuff. Just go home." She pleaded.

Riley scowled, "He's not even your Watcher anymore. Besides, from what I heard you quit the Council. Why do you need him?"

Buffy couldn't believe her ears. Not only was Riley contradicting her, but he was also putting Giles down. She couldn't let him get away with that. "Giles will always be my Watcher…always. And for your information, he was fired saving my life." She glared at Riley daring him to say any more on the matter.

Riley looked about to say something else, but Buffy grabbed Willow's hand, "Come on, Will. Let's go." Without waiting for Riley's response, she dragged Willow towards Giles' flat.

"That was kind of harsh, don't you think?" Willow commented.

Buffy sighed, "I just…he made me SO mad…saying that about Giles."

Willow grinned, knowing Buffy was slowly falling head over heels for Giles. They approached Giles' flat to hear singing. Buffy recognized the song to be titled 'Behind Blue Eyes'. She listened quietly with a smile on her face.

"Is that Giles?" Buffy asked after a moment. Before Willow could respond, she continued, "He sounds dreamy." She sighed happily.

"Should we knock?" Willow asked in a hushed tone. Buffy shook her head and placed her hand on the doorknob. Slowly she turned it to find the door unlocked, as usual. She glanced at Willow and they tentatively stepped inside.

Willow glanced at Buffy and found her eyes glazed over and a happy smile on her face. Yep, she was definitely falling in love with him. When it looked as though Giles was going to start singing again, Willow elbowed Buffy breaking the trance.

"That was beautiful." She declared silently.

Startled, Giles turned around to see Buffy and Willow staring at him. He could feel the flush creeping up his neck. "Th-thank you." He smiled slowly.

He stood to greet them. "Is something wrong?" Giles could see that something was troubling Buffy. She looked lost, frightened, and confused…three things he had never known Buffy to be. Just thinking about it made his heart rate go up.

"Um…no, well…yes." Willow stuttered, "sort of." She finished, whilst dragging Buffy towards the couch.

Giles seated himself in front of Buffy, his mind going through the possible scenarios that could bring them to his door that late at night. His imagination was getting the better of him and he sighed, "What seems to be the problem?"

"It's these dreams that Buffy's having." Willow explained. Giles looked thoughtful for a moment and Willow continued, "They're not prophetic. They're more…personal." She finished with a touch of insecurity.

Giles glanced at Willow, before settling his gaze on Buffy. He reached out to hold her hands. "Buffy, please look at me." She slowly raised her eyes to his, even though she could feel her eyes watering. With effort she kept the tears at bay. She hated feeling weak. After all, she was supposed to be the strong one.

"That's better…now, why don't you tell me about these dreams?" Her response was to glance down at their joined hands.

Willow could see that Giles was floundering. It just broke his heart to see Buffy like this. Despite the consequences, she had to do something. "She's scared to." Willow explained quietly.

"What? Why?" Giles couldn't understand why she would be scared, then it hit him. Perhaps she was afraid of his reaction, but that was unlike Buffy. He softened his expression and reached a hand out to cup her cheek. He slowly raised her head so he could look into her eyes.

The tears she had been holding back slowly fell from her eyes. How he wanted to hold her, but he knew that Buffy would just pull away. He settled for wiping the tears from her eyes. Willow felt like she was intruding on something very personal and private. That was when she knew that Giles' love for her friend ran deep. The question was: Did Buffy's?

"Buffy, I'm not going to be angry or, or upset. All I want is to help you. Please, talk to me?" He requested quietly.

Buffy searched his face, for what she wasn't sure. Finally, she nodded, "The dreams started a week ago…"

"After your visit?" He interrupted.

She nodded again, "The night of, actually."

Giles hmmmed, but didn't elaborate, much to the girl's disgrace.

"What? What is it? You've thought of something." Buffy accused.

"When you wake, how do you feel?" Giles answered with a question of his own.

Buffy looked taken aback, not really expecting the question. She looked thoughtful for a moment, then sighed, "Disappointed…really disappointed."

"Why?" Willow asked her friend.

Buffy cast a sidelong glance at Willow, before setting her gaze on Giles. "The dreams feel so real…like surround sound real, but they never end."

"And you find yourself wanting them to end?" Giles queried.

Buffy nodded, but didn't respond.

Giles knew what was happening. He could see it in her eyes. He wanted to show her…tell her just how much he cared, but he couldn't. Surely, Buffy didn't feel the same way, he reasoned with himself. Curiosity got the better of him and he asked what he had wanted to ask since they came, "Who are you dreaming about?"

Buffy looked up into his eyes and saw the love he felt for her showing through. Not able to hold his eyes, she glanced down, unable to answer. Not even sure if she wanted to.

Giles could sense her unease and gave her a reassuring smile. "It's alright. You don't have to tell me." He could see her relax substantially, before plunging in with what he had to say; hoping, beyond hope, that he wouldn't lose her. "I believe your dreams are in relation to how you feel about Riley. He doesn't really understand, does he?"

"Giles, what are you talking about?" Willow couldn't believe he had said that. It was so unlike Giles.

"He's right, Will." Buffy declared as she wiped the tears away from her eyes. "Riley doesn't understand what it's like for me. I'm not sure he ever did. He tries, I know, but he still doesn't see me, as anything but a little girl."

"That's not true." Willow had listened quietly, but she couldn't see where Buffy came to that conclusion.

"I'm the Slayer, Will; the one with the destiny…I can't ever stop being what I am. Riley expects me to pack it up at the end of the day, but I can't. I just…I can't stop being me." By now Buffy had started crying quietly.

Willow glanced at Giles; she couldn't believe he had said that. Buffy didn't seem to care, heck, she even agreed. But that didn't make it right.

"Chances are these dreams are the product of your subconscious. They're giving you a message, or just trying to help you understand." Giles removed his glasses and stood. "The person you're dreaming about most likely understands what it's like for Buffy. And that is what she needs. She doesn't need someone to fight her battles."

Throughout this whole conversation, Riley had been standing outside listening. He couldn't believe the nerve of Giles. How could he say those things? Didn't Giles know that Buffy needed him, destiny or not. Riley couldn't take it any longer and burst through the door. Good thing Giles never locked it.

At the intrusion, Buffy stood prepared to fight, and only relaxed when she saw Riley. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed your help. You weren't home, so I thought you'd be here." He explained looking sheepish.

"Still, you should've knocked. After all, this is Giles' apartment." Buffy responded with a hint of annoyance.

Riley's look turned to one of anger, "Why? You never do."

"He does have a point…" Willow looked up at Buffy, only to see her glance sharply in her direction, "Not that that matters." She amended.

Buffy looked about to say something but Giles stepped in, "Riley, Buffy is my Slayer. Should the need arise she must be able to contact me, day or night. She knows that."

"But, you're not even her Watcher anymore." Riley complained.

Buffy looked at Riley sharply, "I told you Giles will always be my Watcher…always!"

Buffy looked ready to kill, so Giles walked up behind her and gently touched her shoulders. She visibly relaxed, which annoyed Riley even more. "Please, Riley. Could you just take Willow home? I need to talk to Giles," Buffy looked at the man in question, before turning to face Riley, "alone," she added.

"But, Buffy…"

He tried to protest, but she cut him off, "Please, we'll talk later. I promise."

Riley glared at Giles, but nodded. Leaving with Willow following.

Once alone, Buffy motioned for Giles to sit next to her on the couch. "I'm sorry…"

Giles smiled in response, "Don't be. Riley's not wrong, you know."

Buffy shook her head repeatedly, "I don't care what those stuffy brits said." She reached out and touched his cheek, caressing the side of his face.

When she realized what she was doing she jerked her hand away. Giles thought something was wrong, until she spoke again. "If I asked, would you, um…sing another song for me?"

Giles smiled shyly and touched her cheek with his hand. He was shocked to see her close her eyes and lean into his touch. "Of course, all you have to do is ask."

Giles pulled his hand away and she opened her eyes. "I should probably go." She stood and Giles followed her to the door.

Giles stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face him with a small smile. "Just remember, deep down you know what you want. The only question is: Can you act on it?"

Buffy's smile grew as she thought about that. The answer was: Definitely. It gave her butterflies of anticipation, just thinking about it. "Thanks, Giles." She opened the door and before she could talk herself out of it, she gave him a chaste kiss on the lips. He was too shocked to respond, clearly not expecting her to do that.

She smiled at the look of confusion on his face, "By the way, my dreams are about you…always you. Goodnight." Buffy walked out leaving a stunned Giles staring after her.

When she was out of sight, Giles closed his door a small smile playing at his lips.

Lord Voldemort's Lair

Voldemort growled in frustration, what could be taking them so long. Everything had to be ready; it was very time sensitive. Just when his patience was running thin, a letter appeared as if from nowhere. Voldemort read through it quickly, before tossing it aside. He smiled in glee; soon everything would be ready.

He turned to gaze at the scene before him. Now to have a little fun.

While his back was turned a black dog crept up and silently scooped up the letter.

Lord Voldemort was looking at a girl. She looked to be very fragile, in fact, a very fragile sleeping girl.

Voldemort laughed to himself. This certainly was going to be interesting.