"This is Marie DuFont," Raoul introduced the fair-haired girl, who seemed nervously terrified at the sight of Louise and her bi-coloured eyes.

"Hello," Louise smiled and shook her hand. "How old are you?"

"I'm eight" Marie blushed.

Louise kept smiling, and then turned to Raoul. "So which practice room are we to use?"

Raoul cleared his throat and led them down the theater hallway. "This is our biggest practice room, it's also fully soundproofed." He boasted. "Our musicians will have the choice of over 20 of our practice rooms, but this one is the most demanded room to use."

"That's great, Raoul" Louise smiled. "You can leave."

With that she gently pushed him out and slammed the door. "Now then, Marie," Louise nodded at her. "I hear you want to be able to play like me?"

Marie nodded eagerly. "I've always wanted to learn the violin," she cried earnestly. "Papa first made me learn piano though – he taught me the musical scales and everything,"

"So you know how to tune your violin then?" Louise gestured at the case. "Go on then,"

Marie turned quickly and got out the violin, but when she brandished it Louise's jaw dropped. "You have a Stradivarius?!"

"Yes," Marie nodded. "Antonio Stradivari was one of my ancestors – his violins are my family heirlooms. Papa didn't have a violin to spare so he let me take one."

Louise shook her head. "You have no idea of the value you have in your hands," she sighed. "Well, let's start then. Tune up."

Marie listened cautiously as she plucked the A string. Frowning she turned and started adjusting the peg. Eventually she got it to a pitch that she liked, and played it out with her bow.

"Wait," Louise held up a hand. "That's still flat. Turn it up a bit more,"

Marie looked nervous, and when she twisted it wouldn't budge. Looking more frantic she tried again, but still no avail. Finally she gave an almighty twist, which resulted in snapping the string and her yelping in shock.

"Are you alright?!" Louise cried, just catching the violin as the girl dropped it. She checked it over for signs of damage. "You should probably get these strings replaced, they look like they can snap any day now," she turned to the girl. "Would you like me to get that sorted for you?"

"S-sure" Marie gulped, going bright red.

"You're alright," Louise reassured her. "You haven't lost an eye." Sighing she got up. "I'll see if the orchestra has one we can borrow for now,"

"I'm so sorry!" she cried. "I'll go with you!"

"No, wait here and practice some scales on the piano," Louise instructed as she opened the door. Then, she ran all the way not to the orchestra pit, but to the lion's den. "Papa could you do me a favour?"

"A Stradivarius? I didn't know we were expecting royalty," the Phantom exclaimed.

"It was in the hands of an eight year old," Louise sighed wistfully. "I would be lying if I said she wasn't taking that for granted, but-"

"No, I know what you mean," The Phantom gestured to his hallway of mirrors. "I see all remember?"

"Of course you do, Papa," Louise smirked. "I just want those strings replaced and a temporary replacement violin,"

The Phantom nodded. "A Stradivarius in exchange for my mere Seraphin," he bowed mockingly. "Enjoy its lackluster sound and plain-looking colour,"

"Lies. You know you love it," Louise smirked.

"I do, but I love this Stradivarius more."

Louise ignored his last comment as she left his lair. Then she returned to Marie and handed her the violin. "It's not as high-class, but it's still a decent violin,"

"Is it tuned?" Marie looked at it nervously.

"Yes," Louise smiled properly. "Don't let a snapped string scare you – I've had a string snap as I played – it almost caught me in the eye. You'll never get far if you've never had a snapped string, a wrong note or any mistakes." She went on. "Now can you tell me the notes on each string?"