The re-opening of Sunnydale High School is not without trouble for Buffy as some undead students and faculty rise from the dead and blame the Slayer for failing to protect them. Dawn and Buffy, together with some of Dawn’s new friends join together to defeat the evil forces.
Cordelia decides to rid herself of all things Xander and her pain over Xander’s betrayal summons Anyanka, a demon who grants wishes to women scorned. Cordy blames Buffy’s very presence for everything that has gone wrong in her life and she wishes that the Slayer had never come to Sunnydale.
Buffy returns from summer vacation with a major attitude alienating her friends and even drawing the scorn of Cordelia. Buffy is haunted by recurring nightmares involving the Master and her death while, the Anointed One and his followers plot their revenge.