Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Gaston Leroux, Andrew Lloyd Webber, etc own them. No copyright infringement intended. I'm just using these for fun.

Author's Note: My online friend, Nicolebsb from Neopets, created the character of Helene. All sections about Helene and thoughts, speech, etc. are all hers. I am writing the general stuff, plus Madame Giry, Meg, and Erik.

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New Beginnings: Chapter Four

Helene didn't really have much to do for the rest of the day but go back to her room. Getting to her feet after a good few minutes of crying, she decided not to let the other members come out and mock her for crying. She must leave before they came out of practice. Getting to her feet in a bit of a discouraged sort of way. Should she even be here? Really, no one liked her, so she obviously wasn't any good! What reason was there to stay besides the money? Her father, that's what. Helene's father always wanted her to play in some sort of high-class show. He wanted her to rise out of the gutter and make something of herself. She MUST do that. She'd hate to disappoint her father. Helene slumped back to her room in about ten minutes. She closed the door behind her and decided to wait for the day to end...

Madame Giry came into her room after a grueling practice. Almost all of her dancers had scattered after the fire, and she had to start from scratch. Luckily, her Meg had progressed wonderfully and know was the lead dancer in the ballet. Madame made her way over to the mirror and froze. Atop the desk sat a letter she never thought she'd see again. With trembling hands she opened it, wondering if revenge would fall upon her for something. Relief spread over her as she read it. Indeed, Erik had committed atrocities, but his history had led him to them. She couldn't entirely forgive him, but she was curious enough to go see him. Plus, she had heard rumors of this Helene.

She thought for a moment then began to pick up her weary body. She must speak with this young woman before meeting with Erik. She needed to have all the facts before that event. She made her way down the hallway to the room where Helene was staying. She paused and took a deep breath. She gently knocked on the door, wondering where this would lead.

Helene was lying face down on her bed. She was wearing an average nightgown, though the price of it was easy enough to tell. It wasn't flattering at all, and it was made out of a comfortable material instead of an expensive one. It was long-sleeved, wasn't tight anywhere, and seemed just like a long shirt. When the door was knocked on, she looked over and got to her feet sluggishly. In a slump, she opened the door and looked out at Madame Giry.

"Good afternoon, Madame," she said politely. "Might I help you with something?" Madame Giry took a moment and looked at the young girl before her. Her red hair and green eyes made her pretty enough, but that beauty was hidden under shabby clothes and a defeated spirit. Madame Giry knew a cry for help when she saw one. The girl clearly was dirt poor, but there must have been something in her that had spoken to Erik. Not wanting to reveal him just yet, Madame decided a few questions were in order.

"Bon jour, I am Madame Giry, ballet mistress of this theater. It has been my home for longer than you have been alive, so I hear all the goings-on on this place. I heard you were our newest...pupil." She paused for a moment. "I have heard many rumors of your playing. As for that, I shall decide tomorrow. You must play for me." She softened her tone and projected herself in a more motherly fashion.

"Uh... Of course, Madame, please come in," Helene said kindly, walking inside herself.

"Alors, please tell me about yourself. It doesn't appear you have much family or money." Madame Giry looked on Helene with kindly eyes. Helene listened in a confused sort of way. Pupil? Rumor? What was this old woman talking about? Helene was always polite, but this was just plain confusing. She looked back at this Giry woman for a moment, trying to study her appearance.

"No, my adopted father is dead, and his real son, my adopted brother, is in Ireland...My real parents are... dead, I think," Helene said thoughtfully, realizing she had never thought about her real parents for a while. Walking to the small sofa in the middle of the room, she sat down. "I'm not really Irish... I just look it," she smiled, figuring that's what the woman might think. Red hair and green eyes usually meant you were Irish or of Irish blood. She just looked that way, she supposed. "I play the violin... and... I like flowers?" she tried, not really knowing what else to say about herself. "Madame, what do you want to know about me? I really don't understand why you are here," she said as kindly as she could. Obviously, it was slightly hard to come up with things about yourself when you didn't know what kind of things to mention.

Madame Giry smiled to herself, noting the child's confusion. "I don't mean to confuse you, ma cher. I know everyone here, and since you are new, I do not know you, as yet. I've heard you've had a rough time of it in the orchestra, and I want to try and make things a bit easier for you. You need someone to support you. I have a daughter, a few years older than you. I'd like you to meet her. We just want to welcome you to the Opera House, since you have not received much of a welcome as yet." She sighed, thinking how anyone new, especially female, had such a rough time of it here. "I am truly sorry about your parents and father. I hope this will become your home. Plaire, tell me of your musical background and of your violin playing. Also, what training have you

had? Do you dance or sing?" Madame Giry settled herself on a chair and looked at Helene.

Helene smiled, "Thank you, you are so kind," she said happily, looking at the woman with interest. "But, I didn't like my 'real' parents very much... And my father is now in heaven, so... I am happy for that," she said with a sigh. "Thank you, again, though." She noted that this woman was much more kindly than a lot of people Helene had ever met. She was so used to rudeness and spite... It was always nice to feel as if someone cared about your feelings. It didn't matter how many times someone mocked her a week, or a day... It never got easier to take.

"Well... My father adopted me when I was around twelve or thirteen, and the day he took me home he started teaching me," she smiled. "I'd have several lessons a day: Violin, flute, piano, and harp. Seven years for each, four extra years of simple playing and not learning after his death, except for piano. I knew how to play since I was around five...Singing? My brother tried teaching me to sing... but..." she said slowly, looking at her feet. "I've horrible stage fright... He said I was better at singing than most people who had never had lessons, but I could barely ever get a note out in front of anyone..."she muttered. She had that 'mother's' voice. The soft, untrained one. She was no prima donna with singing, but she was okay. "And, my father taught me a bit of Irish dancing, but that is just bar dance. Nothing to do on a stage," she smiled again. Madame Giry smiled widely. This was better than she had hoped!

"Oh, ma cher, you are just what we need! I will talk to the managers, so they might deal with the conductor. The fact that you can play four instruments speaks highly of you. The singing can be worked with. We always need more chorus girls. Since you have basic dance training, there may be also some skills that you can pick up. Wonderful!" She pulled back a bit as not to startle the girl. "The stage fright can be overcome. I once had a pupil with the worst stage fright!" She laughed a bit.

Helene was speechless. She stared at Madame Giry as she just chattered on. "I-" she tried when Giry paused to laugh, only to have her start-up again. She knew this was a great thing! Dancers got paid more than players, and singers got paid more than dancers. So, if this Giry woman could do as she said, Helene would be making a bit more money than she had expected. Though, Helene was unsure if she should do this or not. Stage fright also applied to her dancing. She just didn't like people looking at her. Her hair was always a mess, and she found her body too tanned to be attractive. But, her clothes wouldn't apply to any of this, seeing as if she was on stage, they would have costumes.

"Well, I'm sure it has been a long day. Plaire, consent to meet with me tomorrow. I would like you to meet my Meg. I can see the levels of your dancing and singing. Also, bring the instruments you have, and I will make sure the others are available for you. Once we know where you stand, I can start evaluating what classes we can get you in and what areas we can truly use you. Ma cher, it has been a pleasure. Now, if you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know." She got up slowly. She paused a moment to give Helene the time to answer her. Her heart warmed. She new Erik would be pleased, and a new friend for Meg would be wonderful. When Madame Giry was done speaking, Helene stood up as well, knowing it was polite.

"Madame, I only have a violin. And as I've said, my dancing skills... They're Irish dances. Mostly just feet movement," she tried to explain. She didn't know the Riverdance, but most Irish dances weren't complicated or like the ones you did on stage. "He only taught me that for about half a year... And singing, my brother taught me only about two months... Are you sure that is alright?" Helene asked. Madame Giry gave her a reassuring look.

"You needn't worry, cher. You just meet with me tomorrow and let me evaluate. Some talent can be molded...you cannot create from no talent." She headed towards the door. "I hope you'll call the Opera House your home. Until tomorrow, cher. Bon soir." She nodded her head good-bye and made her way to the door. She wanted to reserve judgment and the making of any promises until she had seen what the girl could do.

Helene shut the door after Madame Giry left; she herself had simply waved. She really would rather not sing or dance; then again, she didn't like playing the violin in this place either. Everyone was so mean to her, and she really was having a bad time. If they weren't poking fun at her for having an Irish father, they would simply ignore her. She hoped if Madame Giry saw what she could do, there would somehow be more kindness. After all, if this Giry woman seemed impressed with her many talents, maybe the others would be as well? Though... most likely not. All the dances she knew were Irish dances, which was mostly found in bars and such. Most the songs she knew were in English and were also Irish. And, if everything she did was from a country everyone hated, then it would most likely not be any better. With a sigh, the poor girl slumped to her bed and lay down, hoping that things would turn out for the best.

Madame made her way down to her rooms and went to find her daughter Meg. She wanted Meg's opinion as well tomorrow. Not finding her, she went down to the practice rooms. Sure enough, Meg was lost in dance yet again.

"Meg, cher, may I have a moment?" Meg looked up, startled, and then she smiled sheepishly.

"You always seem to know where to find me, maman. Yes, you wanted to speak with me?" she asked curiously.

"There is a new girl that has arrived. She has musical talent, as she plays four instruments. Also, she has some knowledge of dance and singing. So has had a rough time of it so far here, but I am meeting with her tomorrow to see if we can change all that. Will you come? I'd like your opinion and to have her meet someone friendly." She gazed at her daughter, knowing Meg would be intrigued. She remained quiet about the Phantom. Meg would know about him soon. Meg's eyes widened and she began to smile.

"I'd love to come, maman! It's been lonely without Christine. I'd love to help." Her eyes sparkled.

"Well, then, I'll come and get you tomorrow for the meeting. I'll let you get back to your dancing." Madame Giry kissed her daughter on the cheek and left. She hurried to her rooms and wrote a brief note explaining what she was doing and that she'd send further word tomorrow. Knowing he would find it, Madame Giry left the note for Erik on her desk. She left to begin making preparations for the next day.