Author's note: This is the most WEIRD idea I never got but I hope it works. The bad thing is that this month I will out but I will soon update all my stories so fear not.

I have been wondering about putting some elements of Howl's Moving Castle to our good friend, the Phantom of the Opera. Can't promise you anything but I hope you enjoy. I got many things from the PoTO of 1990 and 2004. Cheers and review please!

The characters belong to their rightful owners and the song Lithium belongs to Evanescence.

1. Ordinary World

Christine had been all day busy with the clothes of the next performance and now, felt so tired that all she could do was to lay down the custom on the table and sigh. The Carlotta was in her rehearsal and the poor girl could her those "cat cries" from her workshop. Oh, yes! She dreamed of being a star and singing in the Opera House but this things do have their prize and their strict rules. And not to mention their burdens.

Face it, she was just an orphan. Daughter of a violinist and with no singing experience. Only her friendship with Madame Giry, the ballet mistress.

Rubbed her eyes and stretched. Now this is what you call a day. Time to move out. All the staff was finishing their jobs and she had to go back to Giry´s before it gets late. Christine took a glance and saw the two new patrons of the theatre: Philippe and his brother Raoul, Counts of Chagny.

And they are both staring at the primma donna. Is not like they would lie their eyes on a simple girl of the custom department.

Well, time to go "home" and lie down her dreams one more night.

Christine walked through the streets. The French armies were having their spotlight so nobody paid attention to her until she started crossing the old barracks. She didn't noticed two men following her until she found two guards standing on her way with clearly not good intentions.

"Hey, looks like a little mouse has lost its way" One of them was young but the other not.

"No, I'm not lost, monsieur." Christine whispered.

"This little mouse looks thirsty, shall we take her for some tea."

"No, thanks. My mistress is expecting me." Looked down.

"She is pretty cute for a mouse". Said the other guard.

"How old are you anyway? Do you live around here?"

"Please, monsieurs. I really have to go".

"You see, you are too old for her". They both grinned.

"Well, she is be cute even for an old rag like me."

"There you are, sweetheart. I'm sorry I'm late. I've been looking everywhere for you". A globed hand was softly put on her shoulder and she felt a warm body next to her. A whispering, gentle voice led her to look at the stranger who had just saved her. A young man, older than her but not so much, with black hair and half of his face covered by a white mask that couldn't hid his grin nor his golden eyes. Who could he be? He looked so handsome and gentle.

"Get lost, monsieur. We are busy here."

"Really? Well, is a pity. I was going to take this beauty to her appointment and now, because of you, she would be late". Little chuckle.

"Now listen, pal. You don't look exactly as you were this girl's…"

"Sorry, people. But this talk is taking us too much. We should get going, my dear."

"Eh, yes" Christine nodded.

"You heard the lady." They walked past them. "Have a delightful evening".

"They are not going to let us go away just like that"

"Don't worry. I will escort you this evening. Where to, my petite?" Softly made her grab her arm.

"Giry´s"

"Ouh, you know Antoinette. Even better, darling. Her friends are mine." He slowly turned his head and saw the two guards walking after them with a clear intention. "I don't want to alarm you, child, but you better keep up a little. Good."

"Why are you helping me?" Christine looked at him. "Do I know you?"

"You needed help, did you not?" She had to admit he was right. "And maybe, he had met before, who knows." The guards were now too close to them and more were coming. "I'm afraid is time to fly. Hold on to me" The girl grabbed his neck and he caught her in his arm, jumping like an acrobat to the roofs before the eyes of the guards who tried effortlessly to catch them while he ran happily from one roof to another. Christine looked at his confident smile and blushed. He was surprised to see that but took no notice of it. The house of Madame Giry was soon in front of them. They were safe at last. The man landed on the window sill, opened and softly putted the girl inside. "There you go, sweet heart".

"Thank you, so much. I don't know what I could have done without you. It was so kind."

"It was my pleasure, mademoiselle. I would not have allowed such manners with a lady like you. You work in the opera, don't you?"

"Yes, in the custom department. I wanted to be a singer but that is too far from me". She heavily breathed.

"Don't say that. You are going to make it. Be certain of it." The guards were searching the area. "I must leave you now, child. I will keep an eye on you. I'm your escort and will make sure you are happy. You will be today in my dreams as I will be in yours." Kissed her hand and joined the darkness around them.

"Christine! How did you…? Never mind. Mother was very worried about you." Meg, Giry´s daughter, grabbed her best friend's hands. "Hu? Christine, why are you smelling so beautiful? That is jasmine if I'm not mistaken."

"Well, you see…" She told her the whole story.

"I understand. So this man saved you. Is not the first time I hear from him, I must say." Her face went deadly serious." Christine, do you know who that man is?"

"No, should I?"

"Christine! That was the Phantom of the Opera! Are you daft? It is said that when a girl falls in love with him and disappoints him, he crushes her soul and tears away her heart."

"Nonsense."

"For…" Her friend was not listening.

"He saved me from those brutes. He wasn't going to hurt me!" The girl walked towards her room.

"Christine…"

Meanwhile, Madame Giry was busy talking to the guards and proving them there was no stranger in her house. Once they were gone, the lit of her candle dimmed a little. Someone was standing on the window. She instantly recognized him.

"Erik" She smiled

"Evening, Antoinette. Am glad you drove them away."

"I'm not letting anyone lay a hand on you as long as I'm here. You should go upstairs. They won't let you go the Opera tonight."

"Excellent idea. Good thing I met a angel today"

"You did what?" Madame Giry rose her eyebrows.

"The most beautiful and sweet soul I had never seen. I saved her from the guards. And here I stand". Proudly smiled, when he clutched in pain with a hand on his side. Blood stained his hand.

"You are hurt! How can you be so careless, Erik?" She helped him inside and towards his bedroom. "Don't you realize that…"

"I know the prize, my dear. I do. To leave alone and be hated by all eternity. My angel will never love me."

"Erik. That is not true." He was not listening. Antoinette took out his shirt and cleaned the wound. Erik sighed and lay down in the safety of that room, his own universe, his own paradise, his "cage". Madame Giry kissed his forehead. "Sleep now, my prince. You shall one day find a person who loves you as you are. As the handsome and gentle boy I know".

Erik heavily breathed and felt unto the surrounding darkness.

"Lithium- don't want to lock me up inside
lithium- don't want to forget how it feels without
lithium- I want to stay in love with my sorrow
oh but God I want to let it go

come to bed, don't make me sleep alone
couldn't hide the emptiness you let it show
never wanted it to be so cold
just didn't drink enough to say you love me

I can't hold on to me
wonder what's wrong with me

Lithium- don't want to lock me up inside
lithium- don't want to forget how it feels without
lithium- I want to stay in love with my sorrow

Don't want to let it lay me down this time
drown my will to fly
here in the darkness I know myself
can't break free until I let it go
let me go

Darling, I forgive you after all
anything is better than to be alone
and in the end I guess I had to fall
always find my place among the ashes

I can't hold on to me
wonder what's wrong with me

Lithium- don't want to lock me up inside
lithium- don't want to forget how it feels without
lithium- to stay in love with you
oh I'm gonna let it go"

The moon appeared through the clouds. Paris was for once silent.

All right, hope you liked it so far.

Maybe it´s just me, but Howl and Erik are many alike.

I hope I can do this story well.

By the way, jasmine was the favourite parfum of Casanove.

Next Stop: The shepperd and the prince