Author's Note: Thank you all for the lovely reviews, they make me soo happy you have no idea. Don't have much to say, I am hoping to get another chapter out by the end of this week because finals are fast approaching.

Disclaimer: Own nothing, not even a good enough voice to attract the phantom's attentions, sad days.

Devoted Student?

Christine could hardly wait for the evening to come. She kept asking Meg what time it was, which was getting rather annoying. Practice seemed to go by extra slow and not only that, but Christine was having a very hard time keeping up.

"Christine!" Madame Giry scolded for the fourth time that morning, "If you do not start to shape up then I am going to have to ask you to stay longer after practice. Is that understood?"

"Yes Madame," Trying harder this time to get the steps right she fell into line, hoping that she wouldn't have to remain behind. That would be catastrophic if she was at all late for her lesson.

"Christine, what is wrong with you this morning?" Whispered Meg as her mother showed them a new step.

"Nothing, I just don't think I got enough sleep is all."

"No talking," Madame Giry glared at the two girls her temper waning thin. "Christine come forward please. Since you seem so bent on chattering and daydreaming today why don't you show us what I have just demonstrated."

Christine's face went deathly white, she had no clue what had just occurred. Stepping shyly forward she looked back at Meg who mouthed an apology.

"Alright Christine why don't you go ahead and demonstrate for the class for us."

Nodding her head in submission, she tried to think of anything to do but nothing would come to mind.

"Well…is there a problem?"

"I…I didn't see the steps."

"I see, this is not a charity case my child I require each and every one of you to work and work hard. When you wake up in the morning your time belongs to me. You will pay attention and try your best to learn the steps. I will not tolerate slothful behavior. Is that understood?" Everyone nodded their head in compliance. "Alright then, Christine take your place back in line and we will try this again."

Once practice was over Madame Giry called Christine over to speak with her.

"Christine your head seemed to be in the clouds today, is there something on your mind?"

"No, I just had a hard time sleeping. That is all."

"Very well don't let it happen again. I will let you go this time but if you fail to do your best then there will be consequences, is that understood?"

"Yes" Sagging her head she went to go and change her shoes by Meg, relieved that all she got was a scolding.

"Are you ready to go?" Meg asked standing over Christine who was sitting on the floor.

"Go?"

"Yes silly remember we always go and explore right after practice."

Christine mentally kicked herself, she forgot all about that. It was quarter to five already and she could not risk being late.

"I am kind of tired and I think I am just going to walk around a bit."

"Alright I will come with you."

"NO! Um, I mean no thank you. Please I would much rather go alone." Looking down at the floor she hoped that Meg wouldn't press too hard for information.

"Are you sure you are alright Christine? You have been acting very strange."

"Yes I am sorry I just need time to think."

"Well if you need to talk to anyone I am here." Christine nodded her head and watched as her friend walked away. Once she was out of sight she hurried and changed her clothes. Rushing up the forbidden hallway as she had deemed it she smoothed out her dress before knocking on the door. When she heard no sound she grew puzzled. She was pretty certain that it was almost five which is when they had their lesson.

"You are a few minutes early." A deep voice said from behind. Spinning around Christine swallowed as she looked up into her teachers eyes. He had just come out of the opposite door and was dressed as always in the finest clothes of black. "Come." he commanded.

She followed him into the room, a little unsure of herself. He sat down at the piano and turned to see if she was still following him.

"Stand right here by the piano, what would you like me to play?"

Christine thought for a moment, she hadn't sung in a long time and couldn't remember any songs. "Well…I don't really remember any songs too well sir, how about Memory?"

Erik nodded his head in agreement and started playing. Closing her eyes Christine tried not to get too lost in the sound of the piano. Taking a deep breath she began to sing.

Midnight - not a sound from the pavement.
Has the moon lost her memory
She is smiling alone.
In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet,
And the wind begins to moan.

Memory - all alone in the moonlight.
I can smile at the old days,
I was beautiful then.
I remember the time I knew what happiness was.
Let the memory live again.
Every street light seems to beat a fatalistic warning.
Someone mutters and the streetlamp gutters,
and soon it will be morning.

Daylight, I must wait for the sunrise.
I must think of a new life,
And I mustn't give in.
When the dawn comes tonight will be a memory too,
And a new day will begin.

Burnt out ends of smokey days,
the stale cold smell of morning.
The streetlamp dies, another night is over,
another day is dawning.

Touch me, it's so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun.
If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is.
Look, a new day has begun.

Once she finished her song Erik tried not to let his amazement show. He had never heard such a sound before. True her voice was a bit raw, but nothing that couldn't be polished. It was indescribable, the way she sang each note you could almost hear the words come to life. She had a passion for music, that much he could tell.

Christine looked at Erik in anticipation, trying to read the expression on his face. It was just a blank stare which she had hoped was a good sign. She didn't want to seem noisy or forward but the suspense was killing her.

"How was I Monsieur?" she asked softly. Erik looked up at her realizing he hadn't spoken since she stopped singing.

"Your voice has potential, I think I could manage. But it will be a lot of work." He said indifferently.

"Of course, I understand completely."

"I must lay out some rules before we may continue though. First off I must make sure that you are serious. I don't want a student who thinks that this is only for whenever she deems it convenient to work. I don't want any arguments either, when I say to do something you do it. I am the tutor and I will be treated with the utmost respect. We will hold practice everyday at five, do not be late." He warned, "Is this suitable for you?"

"Well I was just wondering if perhaps we could have lessons at 6 instead of 5 because I would like to spend time with my friend and I…"

"No, out of the question," Erik interjected, "Did I not explicitly say that I want you to absolutely serious about this. This is not something that can be negotiated and spending time with Little Giry is not a good enough reason to change times."

"Yes sir."

"Very good, now that we have that out of the way then we can begin. Your posture is all wrong and you don't breathe quite right." Erik stood up from his seat and pulled her shoulders back and tilted her chin up. They didn't get to anymore singing that evening but they got a lot accomplished. Christine didn't think she could remember all the things M. Destler told her to do but she felt the happiest that she had in a long time.

Review time! Review time! That song was from Cats by the way so I do not own that either. Next time more lessons with Erik, and it will have a little more action in it.