A/N: Hello, everyone! This is my first story, so please review to tell me how I did! Thanks a lot!

All the PotO lyrics that I use will be from the play, so they will differ slightly from the movie lyrics.

I do not in any way (no matter how much I'd like to) own Phantom of the Opera or any of the songs or song lyrics that are in this story.

In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me
And speaks my name

"Annabelle? Annabelle? Wake up!" a soft voice sang in my ear. I awoke to a familiar face.

"Christine?" I asked a sleepy voice and wiped my eyes. I took another look at her. "Chris! It is you!" I yelled and hugged her. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, ma petite cousine, I had to come see you to tell you the good news!" she replied with a huge smile.

"You got married?" I asked.

"Well…yes! How did you know?"

"Well, I am your cousin. I wish I could have afforded to come! Or at least send you a gift!" I laughed. I lived in a barn and had to take care of the horses in exchange for staying there and being fed. I owned all of one nice dress, and it was a little ripped. Most days I wore a loose brown skirt, an old white shirt, and boots. I was more of a boy than anything else. Still, I was happy. Old Robert was a kind farmer who enjoyed helping me because I reminded him of his daughter.

"That's alright. It was a small affair, anyhow!" she laughed. Marrying the Viscount de Chagny, her wedding was no doubt huge! "By the way, Belle, do you still sing?"

I smiled a little as I got out of bed to get dressed. "Well, yes and no," I replied, "I sing in the stables, but never in public,"

"But you're still good?" she asked, "Sing for me. Right now. Something from Hannibal. Do Think of Me,"

I sighed, but sang anyways. "Think of me,
Think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye.
Think of me,
Every so often,
Promise me you'll try,"

She applauded. "You definitely still have it! You really never had singing lessons?"

I shook my head, a little embarrassed. "Why do you ask?"

"Well…" she said with a smile, "I think I've found a job for you!"

"What!" I exclaimed.

"The opera house I used to work at, it's in need of a new lead soprano!"

"What do you mean? I thought you—"

"No, no, no. Not anymore. I'm leaving the Opera Populaire to live with Raoul. Since he's still the patron, he can get you an audition. But you have to come right away! He'll be quitting as the patron in a few weeks! Come on, Belle, you're the best singer I've ever heard,"

Of course I said yes! A chance like this doesn't come around that often. I hugged the old farmer goodbye. He wasn't an attractive man, but he was beautiful on the inside. Christine's father always said that the difference between Christine and I (as we looked very alike and loved music) was that Christine saw with her eyes, and I saw with my heart.

I threw my trunk into the back of Raoul's carriage and we were off. The ride from here to Paris would take a while, but it gave me time to catch up with Raoul and Christine.

I had met Raoul before. When I was little…

(Flashback)

"Christine? Christine? Where on earth are you?" the eight-year-old girl called to her five-year-old cousin.

"ANNA!" young Christine ran to Isabella and clung to her leg.

"Little Lotte? Where are you—" a boy with dirty blonde hair came running around the corner.

"Hi! I'm Isabella! I'm Christine's cousin," Annabelle greeted.

"Nice to meet you, Annabelle. I'm Christine's friend Raoul," he said, "Christine tells me you're a good singer,"

Belle nodded. "Would you like to hear,"

"Yes!" Christine and Raoul said in unison

(End Flashback)

"Well, we're here," Raoul said and helped Christine and I out of the carriage.

This was the start of a great adventure. I could just feel it.

*-_-*-_-*-_-*Meg Giry's POV*-_-*-_-*-_-*

"And one, two, three, and four. One, two, three, and four. Good Clara! Tres bien!" my mother praised, "Meg, keep your chin up!"

I was one of the best dancers, but mother only criticized me. I didn't mind. It made me a better dancer.

"I hope we're not interrupting anything!" someone said. I stopped dancing. I couldn't believe it. But it was! I ran and hugged my old best friend.

"Christine! I haven't seen you in two years!" I laughed.

"Meg! It's great to see you!" she said, "This is my cousin Annabelle,"

A girl who was a bit older than us (probably 21 or 22) stood beside Christine. She had long straight hair and looked a lot like Christine, but she had bright blue eyes that looked like sapphires. She was a beautiful girl. And she looked like she belonged here.

"Anna is auditioning for a singing part in this industry," Christine explained.

"Ah, Mlle. Annabelle, M. Blanche, our newest conductor, will help you warm up," my mother said. Then she walked over and kissed Christine on both cheeks, "It's wonderful to see you, my dear! We'll have to talk later,"

"Mother, may I be excused from rehearsal today?" I asked. She nodded in approval and Christine, Raoul, and I left Annabelle and the rest of the ballet on the stage.

We were alone in the dining hall when Christine asked, "Meg, have you heard anything of…him…since I've left?"

I sighed. I wished I could lie to her and Raoul, but I couldn't. But I didn't have to tell the whole truth. "Yes," I replied, "Only once a year ago,"

"What happened?" she asked.

"Well, he made an appearance last year at the official re-opening of the opera house. It was last January. New Year's day…"

(Flashback)

Meg was dancing with a young man who spun her around and around. "You are very beautiful, Mademoiselle!" he said to her. She giggled.

Then everyone was gasping. Meg turned to see a masked figure.

"Monsieurs, aren't you glad to see me?" he asked.

"He's back! The Phantom of the Opera!" Meg said and ran to her mother.

Then there was gunfire.

(End Flashback)

"So…he's dead?" Christine asked.

"Yes," I answered, "He was killed by the guard," The truth was that he was shot. No one could see how bad it was. But he escaped, so no corpse was found. He is believed to be dead as the notes stopped.

"Then we can leave Anna here. No one will try to hurt her?"

"Of course not, she'll be fine. Besides, if he is alive, then he's probably moved to a new theater,"

"Good. I mean, I guess Anna can take care of herself," Christine smiled, "Raoul, we ought to see Belle audition,"

Raoul nodded and took Christine and I back to see Annabelle audition.

We sat in the front row and saw Annabelle take a deep breath before the music started.

"What is she singing?" Christine asked my mother who was sitting next to her.

"The same song you did when you became the leading lady," Mother told her.

"Think of me," Annabelle began, "Think of me fondly,
When we've said goodbye.
Remember me, once in a while; please promise me you'll try.
On that day, that not so distant day,
When you are far away and free
If you ever find a moment spare a thought for me.

And though it's clear,
Though it was always clear,
That this was never meant to be
If you happen to remember, stop and think of me

-*-*-_Erik's POV_-*-*-

Think of August when the trees were green
Don't think of the way things might have been
Think of me
Think of me waking, silent and resigned
Imagine me trying too hard to put you from my mind

My eyes opened wide when the music echoed through my underground home. My jaw dropped. "It can't be," I breathed, "Christine…"

I closed my eyes and listened. I couldn't believe that it was her singing. It had been years since I had seen her last, but somehow, I could remember her voice.

And this wasn't it.

This voice was heavenly, like Christine's. It was strong, like Christine's. And it let me forget I was hated by everyone who lived above, like Christine's. But this voice was untrained. I trained Christine myself, and I did not train this voice, so it therefore wasn't Christine's. But it had far more potential if I did train it.

"No," I told myself. I couldn't fall in love with another voice. Or another girl.

But I had to see what she looked like.

I couldn't. Not now. I wasn't ready, was I?

Was I?

(-_Annabelle's POV_-)

"Flowers fade the fruits of summer fade
They have their seasons, so do we,
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think of me,"

I walked off stage and into the hall where Christine hugged me tightly. "You did beautifully!" she smiled.

"So, I can sing here? In an actual opera house?" I asked extremely excited and hopeful.

"Of course! You'll be a supporting singer for now, but with a little training, you'll be wonderful! Even a lead, soon!" my cousin smiled, "Mme. Giry has agreed to give you dance lessons, and they said that they'll see what the new manager can do about singing lessons. They say they own Raoul and I for being such lovely sponsors," She hugged me again, "I have to go now, Belle,"

"Will you come to see me?" I asked.

"The second I hear you get a lead, we'll be back to see your performance!"

"Thanks!"

"Annabelle," Meg Giry called from the stairs, "Come on, I'll give you a tour of the opera house!"

I waved to Christine and ran to the stairs.

"Oh, and Belle?" she called after me.

I twisted around, "Yeah?"

"If you ever need something, anything at all, the Angel of Music will always be there to help. All you have to do is sing,"

"Okay! I will!"

"Belle!"

"Huh?"

"I'll miss you,"

Meg gave me a rather long tour of a rather large opera house and kept rather little of my attention. I was determined that I would get lost on my way to the W.C. from the stage.

Finally, she showed me my room. It was a large room (or at least it was for me), but it was beautiful. The walls were very bare and the wall paper was peeling off. A vanity was to the left with a room divider and an intricately carved armoire. It was sculpted with masks and roses and birds. It was slightly burnt by fire as it was recovered from when the opera house caught fire. The room divider was off white with a musical not pattern on it so that it looked like a music sheet. The vanity was rather new. There was nothing on it. Not yet. I would be getting make-up and other things soon. To the right was a small window. Beside it was a plain looking bed that was newly made with clean sheets. In the center of the room on the wall was an old window that must have been there from when the house was built.

Meg explained that this used to be the Prima Donna's dressing room, but they had a new room for that, so I would be able to have it as my own.

Overall, it looked very bare. I didn't like how plain it was. I preferred beautiful architecture and decorations. I used to decorate my room in the stables with flowers to make it feel nicer. Maybe I could find some flowers around this place?

The next day, Meg took me to the market to get some food. "Oh, Anna," she said, "I think I should explain something,"

"What is it?" I asked.

"Well, you may be hearing a lot of things about the Opera Ghost,"

"A ghost?"

"Yes. The Phantom of the Opera. I want to tell you the story so you're not confused,"

"Alright, sounds good,"

"Whenever a terrible accident happens in the opera, the Phantom is to blame. He is a masked spirit who lives deep below the opera house. He writes notes to the managers to tell them how to run the place. He has four rules: follow his instructions, pay him 20,000 francs a month, reserve box five for his use, and don't venture down to the cellars,"

"What if you break the rules?"

"The lasso. If anyone breaks any rule, a terrible disaster will happen; most likely someone will be hung with a Punjab Lasso. If you break a rule, keep your hand at the level of your eyes,"

"Is it true?"

"Some believe it, some don't. I believe, personally, that he's just a lonely man. He's a musician, an architect, a composer, a magician, and above all, a genius. But he's been driven to insanity by love and loss and heartache,"

"The poor thing,"

"What?"

"I feel bad. He never has anyone to talk to. It must be horrible,"

When we returned to the opera house, everyone was gathered in the theater. Things were about to change here.

"Bonjour, Ladies and Gentlemen," M. Andre said, "As you know, big changes are about to come to the opera house next week. With these changes come a new opera, a new ballet, and new owners. We also have a new leading lady and a new patron. My I present our new patron, M. Phillip Roux," a handsome young man stood up. He was about my age, but maybe a little older. He had dark brown hair and green eyes. His smile made my heart skip a beat and all the girls swoon.

"And may I present the new owner," M. Firmin said. A woman who was probably in her late twenties or early thirties stood up. She had red hair and wore a bright pink dress and hat, "Signoraina Carlotta Guidicelli and our new leading lady, her protégé, Signoraina Caprice Basso," the blonde girl next to Carlotta stood up. She was wearing a bright orange and yellow dress.

"Oh no," Meg breathed, "Carlotta,"