A/N:  This story was inspired by the play The Phantom of the Opera. Though this story does not actually follow the wonderful play, there are a few borrowed ideas as well as some parallel themes, etc.  Also, this story will be posted a bit more slowly than my other story "Threads of Silver," but I wanted to at least get it going… it's about halfway written so far (but of course, I always tweak and add suggestions as I go along) and I already know how it's going to end.  :-)  Anyhow, I hope that there will be people out there who will enjoy what I've written with this story.  And so now I ask you all, to please read, review and most importantly… ENJOY!

All things Harry Potter belong to the wonderful JK Rowling…  :-)

Summary:

Draco has night terrors.  What's more, he is haunted by some of the most beautiful piano playing and singing that he has ever heard in his entire life… causing him to wander the halls of Hogwarts at night in desperate search for the music's creator.  Eventually, he learns who the haunting musician is and he learns that even the most unlikely of people can be drawn together and share their gifts with each other.  Through the gift of music, Draco finds love… a love that will stand the tests of jealousy, tragedy and a potential destiny to come.  He never knew that love could be unconditional…

PHANTASMAGORIA

Prologue:  Just Breathe

Draco Malfoy awoke gasping deeply and desperately for any breath of air that would enter into his lungs.  His lungs felt as if they were collapsing in on themselves… as if all the air was being taken away.  It seemed like an eternity before his lungs could actually intake the precious air allowing him to breathe normally once again.

The silvery blond placed his hand over his chest as if to convince himself that he was indeed breathing and that his lungs were not damaged in any way.  He could feel his heart racing in fear as if it would beat out of his chest.  Suddenly, he broke out into a cold sweat.

As he climbed out of bed, a slight dizziness overtook him for a moment causing him to grab onto one of the posts of his bed for balance.  Once the moment passed, he put on his black slippers and black night robe and quietly walked over to the window of his private room.

It was times like these that he was indeed grateful that he now had a private bedroom of his own.  He did not like these nighttime episodes he was having and they were becoming more and more frequent as the days went by.

~~~

It was Draco's seventh and final year at Hogwarts.  He had been stripped of the title of prefect during his sixth year after he was deliberately caught using his "power" in order to get certain students… namely Harry Potter and pals… into trouble.  His plan had backfired miserably and he had to step down from being the Slytherin prefect.  It was quite humiliating and his father, Lucius Malfoy, was infuriated with him as a result.

"Battles must be chosen carefully, Draco… you pick and choose such that you always have the advantage in the end."  Draco remembered his father's words as clear as crystal.  After the lecture, he received a punishment that he was sure most normal students never even dreamed of experiencing… it was far worse than anything even Delores Umbridge could think up.

The Cruciatus Curse.  Never before had Draco felt such immense pain… he would take a beating by his father any day… for he had indeed been through the likes of that before and therefore knew the differences.

It was not long after his "prefect incident" that Draco's father demanded that he receive a private room of his own.  At first, Draco thought it rather odd that his father make such a request… it seemed an honour and a privilege to have a private room and he thought that his father was furious with him.

Eventually, Draco learned that his father's request for the room had absolutely nothing to do with his losing his privileges of being prefect.  Rather, it had to do with Lucius's future plans for him… plans for him to join The Dark Lord's inner circle of loyal followers… plans for him to become a Death-Eater.

Draco held many of the same beliefs as his father, but he in no way whatsoever wanted to become a Death-Eater.  Yes, he enjoyed his private room, but he did not enjoy the late night calls that his father would make in his fireplace informing him of things to come, especially now that he was in his seventh year… informing him of his initiation.

~~~

The night air was cool and refreshing and soon all thoughts of Death-Eaters and initiations were out of Draco's mind.  Suddenly, his stomach rumbled rather loudly.

Draco frowned and then smirked to himself, "Figures," he muttered.

At that moment, he decided to make a special trip down to the kitchens in order to get a late night snack.  He just hoped that he could avoid any interactions with Dobby, his family's ex- House Elf.  He was sure that if Dobby saw him trying to get food, he would certainly be denied.

"I'll use force if I have to… after all, I am a Malfoy," Draco smirked again and began to make his way up out of the dungeons and head through the corridors leading to the kitchens… taking care to avoid those corridors most patrolled by Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris.  At least being prefect taught me something useful…

***

As Draco was walking through the corridors, he suddenly heard a faint sound.  It sounded like music… a piano.  And there was a shimmer of sound that sounded like a girl's voice… singing… beautiful, intoxicating singing.

The Slytherin paused for a moment to listen.  Thoughts of him playing the piano rushed through his mind.  His mother, Narcissa Malfoy, had insisted that he learn to play… "It's good to be cultured," she would often say.  Although Draco thought that it was also an excuse to bring some sort of joy into the household.  Regardless, he thoroughly enjoyed playing the instrument and was quite good, though no one knew this little fact about him.

Draco closed his eyes and let the music penetrate his soul.  He felt himself gasp; for the musical sounds were so moving… they surged through his veins like thick, rich blood.  After several moments, he began to breathe normally again.  He opened his eyes and a look of pure determination spread across his face.

Finally, Draco started traveling through the twisting hallways trying to find the source of this intoxicating music, his hunger totally forgotten.  The blond boy walked for nearly an hour with no success.  Every time he thought that he was heading in the right direction, the sounds suddenly seemed as if they had moved to a different part of the castle.  Draco was getting very aggravated.

All of a sudden, Draco's stomach rumbled causing him to clutch it.  He heaved a sigh of disappointment and decided to give up the search for the source of the music.  It's not over… I'll find out who she is yet!

At that moment, Draco resumed the walk to the kitchens where he hoped he could get a small meal… yet avoid Dobby at the same time.