Author's Note: Nothing much to say, a friend beta-read my first chapter and I have a LOT of work to do on that, sorry for so many mistakes.

Anyway, I will try to do the entire beta reading myself, and I hope there aren't too many discrepancies. One thing a friend pointed out: If the mother left in sixth year, why were there books going up to seventh year in the trunk? The answer is because some were her grandmother's. Another question was why wasn't there a Ministry of Magic in America? Well, I had to connect my story to Harry Potter somehow, and that was how I did that. Along the same lines, there is no Diagon Alley-like place in the good old USA either. Guess there are just too many muggles around here…;) That's all for now! Ciao!

Chapter 3: The Dance

They arrived at Hogwarts without any further incident, and Guenevere was instructed by Hagrid to go along with the first years for now, she'd be sorted then placed with third years wherever she was. Hagrid seemed to like Gwen as a person, probably because she was so nice and because she was a friend with Harry.

"Any friend of Harry Potter is a friend of mine." He said with a wink in Hermione's direction.

Draco looked disappointed to see she wasn't coming with the rest of them, but acted normal once Pansy Parkinson ran up to him. Guenevere was amazed at the size of the school and the grounds surrounding.  She had never seen something so large, and was sure she had fallen asleep somewhere and was dreaming. When she arrived at the front hall with the first-years, she couldn't help being a little embarrassed that she was the oldest there and looked quite out of place. No one asked her, that is, no one talked to her, so she assumed no one cared. She waited patiently to enter the hall, although her insides were twisting in anxiety.

Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny watched the doors nervously, waiting for the moment the first years, and Guenevere, would arrive. Soon, they were appeased when the doors opened and they filed in. Guenevere, who stood by the back, looked extremely scared and truly out of place. Everyone else had noticed this too, and was extremely confused during the Sorting. As the last name of the first years was called, she was the last one left. Everyone was whispering quietly. There must be some mistake. Why was she left? In answer, Dumbledore stood and faced the students.

"As you all see, there is one student still to be sorted. We have saved her for last for one reason: she is not a first year. She is a transfer, and will be going into third year. She also comes from America, and has never been overseas before. I trust you all will make her feel welcome, and will not ignore our friend. She will now be sorted into her house."

He waved to Professor McGonagall, who nodded and read her name off the parchment: "Donahue, Guenevere."

Guenevere nervously stepped up to the Sorting Hat, glancing quickly at the staff table, where Dumbledore gave her a small wink. That gave her the confidence she needed to continue. As the hat fell over her head, she heard a small voice quickly thinking aloud: "Hmm…Ravenclaw or Gryffindor…you say you have friends in Gryffindor? That would be best then, especially with…never mind. Alright then: GRYFFINDOR!"

The Hat shouted the word to the hall and the Gryffindor table cheered. Hermione grinned as Guenevere came and sat by her, smiling but still a bit flustered. Glancing over at the Slytherin table, Hermione noticed Malfoy looking grimmer than usual and frowning at her.

Harry too, noticed this and whispered to Ron: "He's disappointed he lost his new crush."

Ron laughed and passed the information onto Ginny, who slapped him on the arm playfully.  Harry smiled and looked over at Hermione. Ron and Ginny were unnerved at the length of the gaze. Guenevere and Ginny gave each other knowing looks, then giggled.

The night went on normally, or at least, normally in the wizarding sense. Guenevere soon was as tired as the rest of them, and they all trudged to the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron went to their fifth-year dorms, Hermione went to hers, and Ginny strode off towards the fourth-year common room. Guenevere waited and asked Professor McGonagall if her harp made it to Hogwarts all right. (Her grandmother had insisted: "If you don't practice, you'll lose your musical ability. There's no way you're going overseas for that long of a time without your harp!!") McGonagall told her it was, and was being brought in later by the house-elves. Before Guenevere could walk away, McGonagall asked the usual question of: How did you get interested in the harp? After she answered and Professor McGonagall went to her own room, Guenevere started up the steps to her own dorm. But as she did, a cold breeze brushed her cheek. She turned and squinted into the shadows, expecting to see one of the Hogwarts ghosts, but there was nothing.

~ ~ ~

The first few weeks of school were uneventful in the muggle sense. There was the schooling, and Guenevere practicing her harp—which always brought people in to listen. Ron had complained because Gwen was allowed to take a few hours off to practice. Guenevere said it was no different than regular classes. The boys didn't take to the music as much as Hermione did. She would sit in the Gryffindor common room studying while Guenevere practiced her pieces.

Hermione had already asked all the questions there were to ask about Guenevere's interest in the harp: "Do you like to play the harp?" "How long have you been playing for?" "Are all harps that big?" "Oh, so there are little harps?" "Is this your only harp?" and so on. Guenevere had to answer these questions multiple times, for many people "needed" to know the answers.

Guenevere learned things well at Hogwarts, and was typically an A student. "Except for Potions." She mused sadly. She had not found favor with Snape right away, but after Draco went up to him after class, he seemed to back off a bit. "At least you get to skip it sometimes," said Ron. "We have to sit through the entire thing whether we want to or not!"

Hermione was busy with her work as well, and Guenevere learned much about Fae just from reading over Hermione's shoulder.

"It's such an interesting topic, isn't it?" Hermione asked her one day.  Guenevere was shaken from her concentration.  The last sentence she caught was Never eat or drink anything the Fae give you or you may become enslaved to Faerieland forever...  Gwen made sign of approval and finished reading the sentence.…or until your master lets you free. She began to talk about Fae with Hermione.  It became a mutual interest.  Most days they'd sit and ponder the Fae lifestyle while eating lunch, and then Gwen would go and play {them} a lively Irish Tune on her harp. It never ceased to cause Hermione to imagine a ring of Faeries dancing a jig of some sort, and one day she brought it up.  Gwen laughed, "It may not be a Celtic harp, but I still can play my jigs!" They both laughed.

Time wore on slowly, and soon it was October. This year, unlike previous years, it was decided to hold a masquerade ball…anyone above third year could stay up until midnight. Everyone else had to go to bed by 10 o'clock. The first and second years thought it was unfair, but they, of course, had no say in the matter. The plans began late September, and soon it was known to the students that a popular band, Flaming Owl Feather, would be providing the music.

"Aren't they a rock group?" Ginny asked Hermione.

Guenevere giggled. "No, but you would think so, wouldn't you? No, they do some older stuff too-- eighties and some modern stuff. Kind of like Billy Joel."

"Who?" Ron asked, figuring it was muggle thing.

During their free time, students were busy constructing elaborate costumes. Pansy Parkinson bragged she would have the best costume of them all. This gave Hermione the idea to suggest a costume contest, and it was approved by the faculty.

"The teachers will have their own category, and the students will be split up by year. Then the two best costumes, Boy and Girl, will be selected out of everybody—the band included," the headmaster announced during dinner.

The four friends were hard at work on their costumes.

"I'm going to be a butterfly." Ginny grinned.

Harry looked at her strangely.

"Well I liked the idea," Ginny said quietly.

"What are you going as, Hermione? A textbook?"

Hermione glared at Ron. "Actually, I'm going to be a Faery Queen. With wings, so they'll all know what I'm trying to be."

Ron was going as a knight and Harry was still deciding. "If I don't come up with anything, I'm going as myself," Harry joked. 

Guenevere wouldn't tell anyone what her costume was. Not even Hermione.

"It's a secret. But I'll give you a hint: It has to do with my favorite musical," was all that she'd give away.

Well, everyone knew by now that was Phantom of the Opera. She could sing every song—well too. ("I can't sing." She retorted to Hermione and Harry, who commented on her beautiful voice. They had replied with a laugh.) As for which character she would be, it was anyone's guess.

The ball was a few hours away. Students rushed through their homework and put the final additions on their costumes. Guenevere still would not show it to anyone, although her roommates claimed they had caught a glimpse of it.  "It was a ball gown, that's all. Nothing else!" They claimed.

Hermione was finished with her costume. She tried it on and discovered the wings were too heavy. She said something quietly and pointed her wand at the costume. From then on, they didn't give her any trouble. Harry had finally decided to go as his cousin Dudley. "No one will question it, but it sure will take up a lot of room." He said confidently.

Draco was going as a Dragon. ("Of course…" Hermione muttered.) Pansy was going as some sort of Diva. ("You should give her a run for your money, Guenevere. She can't sing a note." Ron said furiously.) Soon everyone was ready and waiting for dinner to be announced.

As Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny waited downstairs, Guenevere was putting on her costume.

"Wonder what's taking so long." Ginny questioned. They didn't have to wait long after that. Soon, Guenevere came down the steps. She wore a normal ball gown, a hooded cape, and a necklace with a ring on it.

"What in the--" Hermione laughed, "Well, Miss Christine Daaé how are you this evening?"

Guenevere smiled. "You recognized it."

"Of course! By the ring on the necklace. Raoul's secret engagement ring." Guenevere grinned as the other three nodded silently, not really understanding.

"You'd have to see the play to understand." Guenevere explained.

"Oh, well then, shall we go?"

They trooped off together towards the Great Hall. Guenevere, being the last to leave, thought she heard a sigh as she left, but there was no one else there.

The dinner proceeded as usual, save for the fact everyone was dressed in costumes. Some were elaborate, some simple, most of them magicked. ("It was against the rules, but so many people did it, they ignored it.") As they were finishing up, the band was setting up in a corner of the room. There were five members.

"Boy, they look different in real life than they do on tour." Sure enough, they didn't match the descriptions they had all heard.

"I thought the lead, Mark...  I thought he was blonde!" Ginny commented.

"Yeah, but you have to admit he's handsome anyway!" Guenevere said.

He wasn't very tall, only around 5'8", and had black hair that was like midnight. Even from a distance, his blue eyes shone and sparkled in the flickering candlelight.

"His voice isn't all that great by what I've heard, though. So hopefully he's better in real life," Hermione whispered.

Guenevere giggled.

After dinner was officially over, Dumbledore stood. "Students and teachers, Flaming Owl Feather will be playing in about five minutes time, once they have set up and prepared everything for this evening. If you would all stand up, I will prepare the dance floor myself." They all stood. The tables flew to the walls, and the floor was cleared. "There. I hope you will all enjoy yourselves and don't stay up too late, or I might turn you all into pumpkins." The students laughed, as did a few teachers.

Regular chatter resumed as the band set up. Gwen stole glances towards Mark, the leader of the band. "Where's his costume?" She asked to no one in particular. His back was to them as he said something to the guitarist, and waved in the air. As he did, his outfit changed, although he did not turn. Guenevere frowned. *That outfit looks strangely familiar…* Suddenly Mark turned. Guenevere gasped and Hermione looked over in shock.

"Well, Guenevere. You two must think alike," Hermione said.

"Yeah, musician-minded or something," Harry commented.

Guenevere's mouth was still open. He was dressed in a black cape, tuxedo, and black boots. His hair sat partially slicked back on his head, and on his face he had…

"A white half-mask. The Phantom of the Opera." She drew out the words, as if she didn't believe them.

"That's wicked, Gwen! To think he didn't know there would be a Christine in the audience." Ginny giggled.

Suddenly he turned towards their direction. He met Guenevere's gaze. His eyes burned into hers. She gasped slightly. There was something about it that, frankly, frightened her. He had an air of dignity and grace about him that you wouldn't think a rock band member would have. He didn't fit in, and Guenevere could sense that immediately. He broke the gaze and studied her costume carefully. His eyes fell upon the ring on the chain around Gwen's neck. He met her gaze again, and then suddenly smiled. Guenevere thought that he realized what she was trying to be…either that or his gaze had been a little lower than the necklace… Before she could think about it too much, he began to walk in her direction. Ginny and Hermione stopped talking and stared in confusion. In fact, most chatter in the hall ceased. Pansy Parkinson was going red as she realized where he was headed. She turned and said something to Draco, who shrugged. He was just as confused as she.

Guenevere thought there was some mistake…he couldn't possibly be walking towards her. But then he stopped a few feet in front of her and grinned. "Hello Miss Donahue. Or should I say…Christine Daaé?"

There was an awkward pause as Guenevere stood in shock, mouth open. "Uh...uh…hi."

Hermione frowned and stood next to Guenevere protectively. Ron and Harry caught on. "How do you know her name?" Hermione asked carefully.

Mark smiled, "I know because I asked."

"You never asked her," Ron countered quickly.

"Did I say I asked her? I meant I asked someone else. I apologize if I seemed a little…too knowledgeable. I seem to come off that way sometimes."

Guenevere sighed—her proper training for politeness was seeping in. "That's all right. Since you know me, may I ask your name?"

He extended a pale hand with long fingers. *A trademark of a musician…* Guenevere thought quickly.

"Well, the band calls me Mark, but my real name is Demitrius. Demitrius Andromeda. At your service, milady."

When Guenevere offered her hand to shake his, he bent down and kissed it gently. Aside from blushing profusely, a chill ran through her. She didn't think that was a normal reaction. His eyes met hers again as he stood up. *There's something funny about him…*

He just smiled. "So…why did you come over here, Demitrius?" The name sent shivers down her spine. *It sounds familiar…* "I wanted to ask you if you could sing. I mean, really sing, not squawk like some other people around here." He threw a glance in Pansy's direction, who mistook it for a seductive glance and shrieked in excitement.

"Well, my friends say I can…I'm not sure though.."

"Why not sing a few words to something? Then I'll know."

Guenevere blushed again, nervous to the point of sweating. "I couldn't…not in front of all these people…"

"I'll sing with you if you're unsure."

"No, no. I can do it alone."

Hermione frowned. "You don't have to if you don't want to, Gwen."

"I know…" But she couldn't help it. There was an overwhelming desire to sing suddenly in her head. It was as if someone were repeatedly telling her to sing. She was happy about it, and decided she would sing. If he wanted he to sing, she'd sing. *But I'm not sure…* But her own thoughts over-rode her desire not to. So she opened her mouth and the first words of the song left her lips.

"You have brought me,

To that moment where words run dry,

To that moment where speech disappears into

Silence,

Silence.

I have come here. . . "

He stopped her. "Beautiful! Beautiful. I haven't heard a lovely voice in quite some time. No one knows how to sing these days. But you…your voice is perfect."

She blushed even more now, trying not to cry over her nervousness.

"Do you like that play?"

"Phantom of the Opera? Yes, as a matter of fact, I do," she answered hesitantly.

"How would you like to sing something from it? Tonight?"

"Tonight? In front of all these people?"

He laughed, "I didn't think you were the nervous type."

"I'm not…it's just, I don't know what they'll think of my voice."

"Just sing from your heart. You already know how, but if you do that, you won't have anything to be afraid of."

He smiled gently at her. Despite the kind outward appearance, she couldn't help feeling that something was strange about him. There was a sort of icy fire in his blue eyes, and she didn't like the way they seemed to go right through her. It was as if he knew everything about her—as if she was there in front of him, waiting to be judged of some wrong-doing. As if he would punish her if she did something wrong. As if…

Fleeting moments from her dreams permeated her thoughts. It went as quickly as it had come. She looked at him under a new light, but he still seemed different. Something was wrong.

His smile wavered a bit. It was as if he knew she was unsure of him.

"So are you up for singing this evening?"

"Well, I guess so…" she said shakily.

"Now that isn't a true answer…'I guess so'…are you or are you not ready to sing?"

A feeling of overwhelming peace came over her again.

"Yes."

"Good. See you in say…half an hour?"

"Ok."

"Farewell, Miss Donahue. I look forward to talking with you again, " He smiled and walked away as quickly as he had come.

A/N: Whoa, it's getting weirder than I thought it would!! HA-wait till you read later chapters!! Gotta go, hope you enjoyed this, I'm writing the next chapters as soon as possible!