Buffy is back in Slayer training and is working on her strength with the help of Giles and some focusing crystals. She practices a handstand on a block of wood, but falls when her sister, Dawn, knocks over the crystals breaking the focus. She apologises, but it is obvious that both Slaye and Watcher are nothappy.

During the episode, Dawn writes in her diary, narrating the episode's story and easily summarizing the history of the series (for those viewers who have just joined us).

In the morning, Joyce asks Buffy to take Dawn shopping for school supplies. Buffy says that he has to go to the Magic Shop for supplies. Dawn makes a comment about ogwart's (the school in the harry Potter series), but her mom and sister don't get it. Buffy and Dawn bicker until Riley shows up at the door with the intention of hanging out with his girlfriend, as had been previously arranged. Buffy had forgotten and is double booked with Giles.

Giles and Buffy talk about books and Giles's new car (a lovely red convertable) while driving to the magic shop. Giles hasn't quite got the hang of automatic gearboxes yet. They spot Willow and Tara and Giles has to pull over to show them his new car.

Willow and Dawn are good friends and on the way to the magic shop, Buffy tells Willow that she's dropping Drama in favor of more slayer training. Willow, who at first was pleased that her best friend was developing a work ethic is upset that she is deserting her.

At the shop, the gang finds the owner dead, killed by vampires. Buffy sends Dawn outside where the young girl encounters a homeless man. He recognizes her and tells her she doesn't belong here. He also makes a comment about Little Miss Muffet (a huge clue if ever was one). Tara finds Dawn outside the shop, uspet, and they talk then thumb wrestle.

Inside, the gang realizes that a pack of vampires killed the shop owner. Giles admires the shop and its potential for a future business. Even though all the owners end up dead. there isn't anything important stolen from the shop, just a figurine of a unicorn and a book

It turns out that Harmony's minion vampires raided the magic shop and under Harmony's leadership, they plan to kill the Slayer. One of the minions bought Harmony the unicorn figurine to go with her collection. The other minions call him a pet.

Buffy receives a lecture from her mother about allowing Dawn to see a dead body, even though she didn't actually see it. Buffy needs to investigate the murder and Joyce is at the gallery so Dawn needs a babysitter for the night.

It's Xander. Dawn is very happy to have Xander do the job, until she discoveres that Anya would come along too. Dawn has quite a bit of a crush on Xander

While patrolling, Riley tries to talk some sense into Buffy. Both Buffy and Dawn resent each other for similar reasons and it is a hatred that a lot of sisters have. Tara and Willow move into their new dorm room and talk about how Dawn is having a hard time as the outsider of the Scooby Gang. Tara thinks they ought to do something to make her feel more involved. Will agrees.

Harmony pays a visit to the Summers residence and tries to taunt Buffy out. But is disappointed to see that the Slayer's not home. Xander taunts Harmony and her minions from the safety of the house until Dawn mistakenly invites the vampire inside. After Harmony puts up quite a fight (but sadly no hair pulling), Xander kicks her out of the house, in the literal sense and harmony goes off tail between her legs. Xander tells Buffy about Harmony and after the Slayer stops laughing (which takes a while), she gets angry that Dawn invited Harmony inside. especially as it is one of the cardinal rules of the house. Don't let in vampires

Harmony and her minions run into Spike in the graveyard and the two ex-lovers talk about Harmony's plans to kill the Slayer. Spike likes the idea, but Harmony needs some help doing it.

While Dawn spies on them outside in the hall, Buffy complains to Riley and Xander about the trouble Dawn has been causing and how she can't always be there to protect her when she does stupid things. Dawn runs outside in tears. Anya spots her making a run for it and tries to drag Dawn back inside when they are set upon by Harm's vampires. They kidnap Dawn and Anya is knocked out. When Anya is discovered, buffy forgets her dislike of her younger sister an goes to save her.

Harmony explains her plan to her minions and she won't let them eat Dawn because she is bait to lure the Slayer. The minions don't understand and decide that they've suffered Harm long enough and stage a mutiny.

Buffy crashes in on Spike's home-sweet-crypt and using her fist for motivation, Buffy finds out where Harmony is. Harmony complains to Dawn about her problems, how no one respects her and how she never seems to be good at anything, until she finds that her minions having a mutiny and want to stake her and eat Dawn. Buffy arrives and eventually kills all of Harmony's minions while Harmony runs away to fight (badly) another day. Buffy frees her sister and when they get home, they agree not to tell their mother that Buffy staked a vampire in front of Dawn..

The next day, Buffy and Giles talk about his plans to take over the magic shop, while Dawn writes in her journal that Buffy might think she's a nobody, but she's going to be in for a big surprise.