Hello! Okay, so this is chapter two. Again, SORRY IT'S SO SHORT, CHAPTERS WILL GET LONGER! Please review! PLEASE!

Disclaimer: I don't own POTO... 'sniff'

Madame Giry took the little girl firmly by the hand, leading her over to the huge wooden doors. The rain beat down hard onto their faces, but Christine felt none of it as she was hauled up the concrete steps, eyes wide and innocent.

She suddenly felt very small.

She could hear the faint plink-plonk of piano keys and the occasional mangled screech from a singer or violin, she wasn't sure. She swallowed hard as she stopped in front of the doors, her lips forming a perfect 'o' shape. A small tug on her wrist brought the small girl back to reality, and Madame Giry led her around the back of the opera house.

Christine was brought to a small door at the back, so much different to the beauty of the great front doors. The middle-aged dancer whispered softly to a bald, rough-looking door keeper, raising his eyebrows as his eyes linger on the small, shivering child. He unlocked the door noisily and ushered the pair inside.

"Thank you, Monsieur." Madame Giry spoke, brushing down her skirt and shawl. Christine pushed her hood from her head, eyes wide. She let her dark curls fall around her shoulders as Madame Giry helped the small girl shrug the large cloak off.

"Who's the child?" The bald man asked, taking the cloak and hanging it on a peg.

"This is Miss Christine Daáe," Giry replied, dragging the child towards another door, "She is to live here, Monsieur."

Before the guy could speak, Madame Giry pushed Christine through the door and closed it behind her swiftly. Christine swallowed hard as she stared up into a aristocratic looking hallway. The tiled floor was so shiny she could just about make out her reflection as Madame Giry hauled the small child up the huge, ivory stairs. They passed through another door, this one grand and expensive, bordered with swirling, golden patterns, and dipping, swishing eagle engravings. Christine's mouth opened wide in silent awe.

Madame Giry led Christine up flights of stairs, passing numerous dormitories and wooden stairways. It seemed that every room they entered was like a different world to the next. At last Christine found herself being hauled into a room full of squealing teenagers, some of them sitting around reading or giggling in posses of about ten. Some were asleep in their bunks, some sitting at dressing tables and one or two sprawled out on the floor. Once they set eyes on Christine they ran over, squeaking with joy, gawking at the small girl.

"Oh, she's so cute." One girl mused, covering her mouth, giggling.

"Just look at the little darling!" Another girl squeaked, bending down to beam at the small brunette.

Christine's brown eyes scanned the dull room, searching for any girls her age. She stared as a small blonde, about her age, ran over, swinging her arms around Madame Giry.

"Bonjour, Mama!" The little girl had long, fair blonde hair, and very blue eyes.

"Bonjour, chère." The middle aged woman smiled and set her daughter down.

The girl gave Christine a questioning look, only just noticing her. "Mama, who's this?"

"This is Christine Daáe, Meg. She's come to live here with us." Madame Giry nudged Christine forward, and Meg boldly held out her hand, grinning.

"Welcome to the Opera populair, Christine!" She chirped happily.

Christine hesitantly took the blonde's hand in hers and shook it slowly.

Meg's smile faded, "What's wrong? Can't you talk?" Madame Giry shot Christine a look of warning.

"Miss Daáe is mourning the death of her father, Meg. She has a lot on her mind right now."

The small blonde's pitying gaze was enough to turn Christine's cheeks bright red. She didn't want pity; she had seen enough sad-eyed looks in the past month to last her a lifetime. Christine just smiled weakly, trying her best to look presentable.

"Oh... Well, I'm sure it'll all be OK. You are gonna love it here anyway," Meg took Christine by the hand, leading her through the set of bunks and picking her way over the older girls that sat or lay on the floorboards. "Come on, Christine. Your bunk is next to mine. We are gonna be the best of friends."

Christine tried for a smile, a small, meek one, sure. But it was a smile all the same.

"Monsieur Lefevre knows you are here, Miss Daáe." Madame Giry spoke from behind them, "You will start ballet classes tomorrow morning. Goodnight ma chère."

What do ya think, then? A bit boring? Oh well. Things will liven up! Please review or i'll... i'll... i'll stop writing! Okay, that was a pretty lame threat, but... c'mon!

xx