Part 2
"SU stands for Sorceress University. This is my first assignment as a full
sorceress, and is usually called the final exam. I graduated a few days ago. Ms--"
Harmony began.
"But we've already got a witch," Xander said.
"I'm not a witch. I'm a sorceress. Witches have no training and are usually
evil. Sorceress have an education and are always good," Harmony replied hotly.
"So you're a good witch," Cordy said.
"I'm NOT a witch. I have an education!"
"Sorceress, witch same difference," Xander said.
"I am a sorceress, please remember that!" she replied curtly, "Now,
Ms. Calendar sent a description of her problem to SU. She said that she wanted to
summon the soul of Angel, and place him back in his own body, which is now occupied
by Angelus. She said she was working on a translation of the original spell. The
original was broken when Angel had a moment of pure happiness. She asked for our
help. The board deemed her cause worthy, so they gave the assignment to me. I can
help because I think I can change the original spell into something that will work
in a loving environment. From her description of the spell, it sounds like the original
spell bound Angel's soul with hate, so when there was no hate to bind him, his soul
was released. I think I can change it so that Angel's soul will be bound with love.
That means that only complete lack of love will break the spell. Don't worry though,
I'm talking about all kinds of love: friendship, family, pets, and of course true
l
ove. All I need is the translation. So where is it?"
"Your theory is quite intriguing. The basis sounds solid though I'd want to
go more in depth. Unfortunately we don't have the translation. This is the first
we've heard of it," Giles replied, "Did she say where she kept it?"
"Well she said she was using her computer to translate it," Harmony replied.
"Her computer!" Willow cried excitedly, "But that would mean it's
on disk or in a file. The janitors found a disk in her room." Willow fished
around in her backpack, before coming up with a small disk. She rushed over to the
computer and popped it in. Willow sat looking intently at the screen. Oz looked over
her shoulder, as her fingers plinked away at the keyboard. Everyone waited anxiously
as Willow tried to break the password with a little help from Oz. "Got it,"
Willow cried triumphantly, "It looks like this is it. Everything's written in
two languages."
"Can you print it out? It's easier to work with that way," Harmony said.
"Done," Willow said. The printer soon started to click and buzz, as it
spit out the papers. Harmony hurried over to the printer and waited impatiently for
it to finish. When it was done she picked up the pages, and read through them quickly.
"This is it!" she cried, "Now all I have to do is change it. Does
anyone have a pen?"
"Here," Buffy said handing her a pencil. Harmony barely looked at it as
she started making scribbles on the pages. Ten minutes later, Harmony finished rereading
it for the second time.
"This should work," she said, "The original is much stronger than
I thought, and the use of love instead of hate will strengthen it even more. It also
has a second part for strengthening, which she didn't mention. The spell shouldn't
be broken unless Angel hates everybody, and everyone hate him. If we use the strengthening
spell as well, I may be able to do even more. Depending upon the strength of the
love, if he's happy, he could be completely human during the day. The sunlight should
weaken the demon so much, he will probably age during the day, too. He would be a
vampire at night of course, but it would have the overall effect of letting him age
at about half the rate of a human. I'll have to take this back to the University
and the board to confirm my suspicions, of course. He will have to decide whether
he wants the strengthening spell. I imagine after living over 200 years, he may not
like the idea of aging."
Part 3
"You mean he'll be human," Buffy asked.
"Possibly, but even he will, it will only be during the day, and only if he
uses the strengthening spell. I want to double check with the board."
"What do we need for the spell?" Buffy asked with real joy in her voice.
Joy she had not felt in a long time.
"I'll need an Orb of Thesely, as many of his friends as we can find, and his
love. I can get an Orb of Thesely, you were all his friends, and I was under the
impression that you and Angel were quite close," Harmony told Buffy.
"Wait, who says we're still Angel's friends. How can we even like him?? He KILLED
Ms. Calendar," Xander asked angrily.
"Angel did NOT kill Ms. Calendar! Angelus killed Ms. Calendar. The DEMON killed
Ms. Calendar. You must understand," Harmony said turning to Buffy, "they
are two completely different entities. Angel is a good, kind human soul, Angelus
is a cruel, killing demon. Simply because Angelus was keeping the body alive when
Angel was in control means nothing. You can love one and hate the other. Angel and
Angelus are not the same person. You must all understand that, or this has no chance
of bringing Angel back." A long silence followed. "Do you understand"
A general assent of murmurs. Happiness alighted Buffy's face as she realized she
still loved Angel and she might be able to get him back.
"No, this guy is a murderer!" Xander cried desperately.
"He's not! He saved you a time or two. Don't be a jealous ass. He needs your
friendship too." Buffy replied. Xander looked shocked and offended, but looked
at Cordelia and was quiet for a while.
"You're right," he finally said, "Let's save Angel."
********************
Angelus watched Buffy as she practically skipped through the graveyard. She was
humming to herself, but he didn't recognize the tune. He had followed her all night.
She was on her way to the Bronze, and had already killed one vampire. He couldn't
figure it out. Last night, he had killed another kid from the school. She should
be moping or angry, not happy. Buffy let out a sigh of anticipation, and stopped
staring up at the stars. Angelus froze in place. "Soon," she murmured,
"Oh Angel, soon we'll be together again. Soon." Angelus stayed frozen in
shock, as Buffy continued on towards the Bronze. He watched her go in bewilderment.
He had always thought she would turn into a vicious crazy. Then a thought hit him
and fear slowly crept into his vampire features. "The spell," he whispered
in horror.
He looked up and darted after her. By the time he caught up to her, she was nearing
the Bronze. He hurried up the fire escape of a neighboring building, and jumped to
the roof of the Bronze. He took up his usual position on the roof, just over the
public entrance to the Bronze. Buffy took up her usual position in the doorway below
him. Willow came from inside and stood beside her. "So when's the sorceress
supposed to get back with the Orb of Thesely?" Buffy asked as Willow handed
her a cup of coffee.
"Some time around 4 p.m. tomorrow. We're all supposed to meet at the library
around 8. She said she needed the library to herself to prepare," Willow replied.
"But that's an hour after dark."
"She said she wanted to give you an hour of darkness, in case you can't catch
Angelus during the day tomorrow. That way you have an hour to drag him there, without
killing him."
"What about you guys. You'll have to get to the library after dark."
"Oh Cordy's picking me, Xander and Oz up in her car, since it's Angel proof,"
Willow said giggling.
"Angelus proof," Buffy corrected, "so when did Giles finally let her
leave."
"About an hour ago. He was asking her so many questions, she practically ran
out the door." The girls giggled at the joke. Buffy finished of her coffee,
before leading the way inside. Angelus let a smile cross his face, before heading
for Spike and Dru's.
Spike and Dru were talking in the main room. "Someone new is in town. I can
feel it," Drusilla told Spike.
"Of course there is," Angelus said as he came in, "They found a sorceress
to give me my soul back. Damn gypsies just won't stop."
"It's not a gypsy. They're like a shadow," Dru said, "She's like a
blade. She's powerful. Kill her."
"Of course I'm going to kill her, but she won't be back until tomorrow night,"
Angelus replied.
"Then why did you come back so early?" Spike asked irritably.
"Buffy's going to try and catch me, before she gets back. I'm going to split
and hide out in the sewers. I've got to kill the sorceress at the Library, taunt
Buffy, and possible kill one of her friends. I won't be back 'till late tomorrow
night and I wanted to tell Dru so she wouldn't worry," Angelus said, kissing
Dru's hand.
"Then go dammit! Don't lead her here!" Spike yelled.
"I'm going," Angelus said nonchalantly as he walked out the door. Spike
watched him go, and an evil glint came to his eye.
"Dru, how would you like to watch Angel kill the sorceress tomorrow, hmm?"
he asked.
"Oh yes please. She's strong. It'll be fun to watch her die. May we go, please?"
she begged.
"Of course, of course."