Ghost Can't Hurt You

** Author's Note **

Unless like myself you are incredibly obsessed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's film version of the musical The Phantom of the Opera (this is done to the 2004 film version starring Gerard Butler so there are scenes in here that are not from the stage production, this needs his voice to work ) and know every song by heart, I would suggest having the soundtrack/YouTube on hand for this fan fiction, the music makes it all fit together with the film. I have left the names of the songs ready before each character starts to sing so you can read it along to its original tune.

There are some things from the book in here, small details that are things I wanted to put in but this is not done by the book, nor does it have anything to do with Love Never Dies, I do not like LND and I prefer my ending.

Prologue

Paris 1870

It was the middle of the night, the dormitory was dark and quiet in the opera house; everyone was asleep, all but two girls who were out after curfew, two girls who were playing a very dangerous game.

I awoke with a start, what had I heard? I looked about blearily, blinking into the darkness to try and clear my head and figure out what had woke me, as I looked around I saw someone slip through the now open door. I sat up in wonderment and looked to the bunk beside me, as I thought, Christine was not there.

I got up silently and balanced myself on my toes to keep my movements quiet, the practiced and disciplined years of ballet always helped me sneak about. I came out of the door to see the faint light from a hushed candle up ahead and I trotted after her, as we hurried down the dark corridors I could see she was heading to the room that held her father's shrine.

I waited a few moments after the door closed before I pressed against it, trying to listen to her. I wondered if she was going to speak to 'her teacher', an angel she insisted visited her in the night to teach her to sing. Many of the other chorus girls believed her to be deluded from grief of her father's death; others believed her to be seeking attention and pity. But my mother, Madame Giry who taught ballet at the theatre, believed her whole heartedly and often covered for Christine if she did not show for a long period of time.

As I listened, the room and corridor stayed silent for what felt like a terribly long amount of time, and then I heard her. She started to sing, softly, as if she was singing to someone right next to her.

(Sung to the tune of Angel of Music)
"Where are you?

My angel of music,

Come and speak to me.

Please be there,

My angel of music,

Show yourself to me."

Once again she was silent and not a sound was heard, as I leant into the door I wondered what on earth she was doing, until another sound broached the darkness.

"I am here, I am here,

Your angel of music,

Waiting in the night,
Do not fear; do not fear my darling,

You will be alright."

I nearly dropped to the floor in shock as I heard the deep voice of her angel, I covered my mouth with my hand and supported myself with the other, clutching to the door handle in disbelief. He was real.

"Angel, angel I'm sorry,

I have been trying to no avail,

All the while La Carlotta is singing,

Everyone else will pail."

"Christine, sweetest Christine,

Do not let yourself be distressed,
I will make sure that you're given the chance,

Until then I will not rest,

No one here can come above,

That talent that within you lies, settling for something you should not compromise."

"What shall I do, oh angel of music,

I do not feel blessed,

This hopelessness seems to hold me,

It disturbs my rest."

"I am here, do not fear,

Whilst I am still breathing,

No one will take your place, within this darkness,

Your talent will be faced."

My heavy breathing rocked me back and forth as his voice echoed throughout the opera house; the sound was like nothing I had ever heard. His voice was like the softest silk, sweet and sultry like wine being poured, yet unrelentless and bold. Within my heart I felt a deep sadness, a longing that I couldn't comprehend, like his voice was conveying his deepest secrets to anyone who could hear him. I took my hand away from my mouth, digging my nails into my palm as I listened.

I closed my eyes and let his voice enclose me, sweeping me away from the world around me. The darkness that from his voice sounded felt like it would devour me if I stayed and listened for too long, but I could not pull away from its seductiveness. I wanted to see him, see the man that held such power and genius in his voice.

I stood up slowly, my legs feeling like they would surely buckle underneath me and I turned to face the door. I bent down to the keyhole and looked through; I could see nothing but Christine in the light from the candles. I took a deep breath as his voice once again swept over me; it truly was the voice of an angel. I turned the handle slowly, trying to compose myself as I eyed the dark room quietly.

"Oh angel, I truly am thankful for your guidance."

"Do not thank me, never thank-." His voice cut short as I opened the door, I tried to look confused and feign puzzlement.

"Meg, what are you doing here?" Christine looked worried as I approached.

"I heard you leave the dormitory, who are you talking too? There is no one here?"

She looked down and replied quietly.

"Oh, no one, I was just speaking to my father, though I know he will not answer me."

She had believed me; I smiled in the dim light and came next to her.

"Do not worry Christine, though he may be gone from this world he will never leave you, he is always in your heart, keeping you from harm and guiding you."

I took her hand in mine and pulled her up. "Come, it is late and we must rehearse tomorrow for Hannibal, my mother will be terribly angry if we are not in top shape for the grand opening."