Chapter 6

The Phantom of the Opera returns…

Author's note: For the first half of my chapter, I'm going to come through with a little of Meg's perspective. I don't know a lot about her character, but I gather that she's a bit of a gossip, and I can imagine her with many friends…I hope you like my interpretation… Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera, but I do own Harry Potter! (oh wait, that's not right either…)

Note: Mystery Guest- Wow, thanks for that great review! I appreciate your comments; I want to become a better writer. I had intended to address those questions of sincerity and why Christine really returns to Erik in later chapters. Just hang in there with me, my friend. I will work on my language, and I just added a few off the wall comments to make my Phantom more sarcastic and believable. He is my favorite character, but he's also the most complicated…

And always: Thank you Lin! Your reviews always make me smile!

And now, on with the story…

Underneath the Opera House, past the catacombs and trap doors, past the mist and lake, past the large iron gate, a large, spacious lair had been the home of the Phantom of the Opera for twenty years. On first entry, one might notice the candles that emerged lit from the water surrounding the Phantom's home…or the magnificent organ that was littered with pages upon pages of musical notes. On this visit, however, one saw the once magnificent lair in disarray; things were scattered and missing, music was crumbled and burned, and all the Phantom's mirrors had been broken. Also…one saw…

"Good gracious, could you weigh anymore? I mean honestly…I think that my back is breaking…"Meg grunted and complained as she trudge forth with half of her body positioned firmly underneath Erik's left arm. Meg had talked nonstop throughout this whole ordeal. Meg knew she was starting to get annoying, but when she was in a silent place, she had to…talk! It was just natural.

Erik was slowly walking toward the bedroom area of his lair, and Meg and Christine were there with him, trying to support him as he walked.

"Meg!…just think if we would have had to carry him over to the bed instead of support him…I don't think it would have been possible!" Christine gasped out a response to her best friend. She didn't want to think of the amount of effort it had taken to get Erik off the floor moments earlier. She would be glad when Erik would be safe and comfortable in his own bed.

"I…can still…do that…you know…Suddenly…my strength seems…to be failing me…" Erik's voice was tired and strained, but both girls could hear the dripping sarcasm in it. It seemed that no matter what type of situation the Phantom of the Opera found himself in, his dry humor and sarcasm could always be expected. He also seemed to be in a rare mood. He was actually, well, nice to someone other than Christine or Madam Giry. "Meg, you should…be grateful…you get to be…on my good side…"

At this, Meg found herself looking up at Erik's face. He's right, she thought, I do have the good side…he's very handsome. Erik suddenly leaned down a little to meet Meg's eyes, and he smirked to himself. Meg immediately diverted her eyes from his face. Did he know what I was thinking! Meg calmed herself. No no, it was just my overactive imagination. Erik noticed her discomfort and he let out a small laugh.

"Why so silent…Meg? Silence is not…something to expect…with you…"

"I just feel…like we need to hurry up and get you to the bedroom. I think that I may never dance again!" Meg let out a little laugh of her own, to hide her slight embarrassment. This was a unique man, she thought suddenly. He was different from anyone else she had ever known. Meg was normally very good with meeting new people; she always seemed to warm up to strangers, and strangers soon became fast friends. She knew now that this man would be the challenge of her life as far as friendships go, and now she wondered blindly how in the world Christine had been able to break down the cynical and sarcastic barriers to find the true man within…Music…the answer popped into her head as quickly as the question, leaving her for a moment confused…did she think that, or…wait there wasn't another option. Of course she had thought it. And it was right too. Music could convey more emotions than any spoken word; it could project emotions into your very soul…Meg remember the performance of Don Juan; she had actually felt the lusty, sinful feelings that the music seemed to inspire.

"Meg Giry! If you helped half as much as you complain, then Erik would already be in bed! You ought to know some discipline by now!" Meg's mother's voice broke through Meg's thoughts. Madam Giry stood beside the swan bed. She had readied the bed as best she could, propping pillows up so that Erik might have a more comfortable position.

Meg opened her mouth to respond, an indignant look spreading over her pale features, when Erik reached his hand up to Meg's blonde hair and pulled slightly.

"Ouch! What did you do that for!" Meg yelped in surprise.

"Two reasons…one, you shouldn't…argue with your mother…and two,…she might throw…you in the lake…"

Erik glanced up at Madam Giry's face as he spoke. He wondered if she remembered what he was talking about. Sure enough, a look of surprise and horror crossed her face

"Erik! That was an accident! And it was long ago…"

"It wasn't…an accident. You did it…on purpose." Erik baited her.

"Well, I never! How was I supposed to know that you couldn't swim!

"Oh yeah…I got so much experience…with the gypsies…"

Meg was watching the exchange between Erik and her mother intently. It had never occurred to her that Erik would have known her mother from her teenage years. They were obviously teasing each other, but when Erik mentioned the gypsies, both he and his mother fell silent. Meg glanced up at Erik in time to see a brief flash of pain cross his features.

Christine was shocked by Erik's reference to his past. She concealed the surprise on her face, and looked directly into Erik's eyes. Yes, there it was. The barrier. It had seemed for a moment that Erik was finally opening up, but Christine could tell now, by the stiffness of his body, and the set expression on his face that he had closed himself off again. He was becoming "the Phantom", and she knew that he wouldn't stand for their help much longer. Lucky for her, they reached the bedroom area before he could try and disengage from their support. Meg clearly wasn't paying attention; she ran solidly into the side of the bed. The movement stirred Erik, but he made no noise to indicate that he had been hurt. Christine grimaced to herself. This was going to be very difficult indeed.

Christine glanced at Meg, who was now rubbing the side of her leg in annoyance.

"Meg, are you OK?" Christine asked with concern in her voice.

"Yeah, just tired. I'll be glad when I can go back up to my room and catch some sleep." Meg helped Erik into a sitting position on the bed. Erik leaned back and closed his eyes.

"You and me both, kid," Erik said without opening his eyes.

"Erik, do you feel any pain? Do we need to shift your position? Are you hungr-"Madam Giry entered her mother-mode as quickly as she had with Meg. Erik interrupted her.

"Marie, I'm fine. You don't have to mother-coddle me. I just need some rest. In fact, I think that I will be able to sleep much better if I didn't have three women around me trying to smother me" Erik snapped. Ah, there was the Phantom. He had returned, and was apparently in full temper. Erik just wanted everyone to leave him alone. He felt so much better now that he was in a comfortable position; he could breathe easier, and the pain was lessened.

Christine's eyes never left Erik's face. She knew that he was putting on a brave front; not wanting to seem weak in front of her and her adopted family. She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"You've been through a lot, Angel. You really do need rest…will you be ok in here, by yourself? I need to go up to my room and pick up some things. I won't be gone too long."

Erik tried to hide the relief in his face, but did a poor job. He nodded at Christine.

"What did I just say? Take as long as you need, my dear. I'll still be here when you get back. I'm not going anywhere."

Meg could hear the bitterness and sarcastic tone of his voice, and immediately knew that Christine wouldn't want to leave him after a response like that. She was therefore very shocked when Christine nodded and motioned for Meg and Madam Giry to follow her out. Christine closed the veil over the bed, and Meg could see that Erik appeared to already be asleep.

The tired group walked toward the boat. Meg and Madam Giry got into the boat, and Meg reached up to help Christine. Christine just smiled.

"Men are so predictable. I can't leave him. I'll stay, and look after him. He may not think he needs me, but he needs someone."

Meg looked at her best friend's determined expression. Meg broke into a huge smile.

"Well, good luck convincing him of that!"

"My dear, we will come back as soon as we know we won't be missed. We'll bring back the things that you need." Madam Giry said firmly. She eyed Christine's dress. "What is that you're wearing?"

Christine glanced down at her ruined dress. It was the dress Erik had made her change into…it was a wedding dress. Emotions started running through her head. She hadn't even begun to think clearly upon all the events that had happen; all she was certain of was one thing. She loved Erik, and she knew that eveything else would have to work out…Christine traced her finger around a large rip in her sleeve.

"It does look like I could do with a change of clothes, doesn't it?" Christine tried to laugh, but her feelings betrayed her. "I…just feel bad that I ruined my dress," she said awkwardly.

Madam Giry decided not to press the issue. "Goodbye, Christine! All will be well, you'll see."

"Goodbye, my friends! I don't know how I ever will repay you…" Christine said, becoming a little teary eyed.

"Nonsense, my dear, you are family! We will have our eyes and ears open if you need anything before we return…" Madam Giry said, and with that, Meg pushed off to steer the boat toward the other side of the lake.

"Christine!"

She turned sharply, and just in time to see an object being thrown at her. Christine instinctively grabbed for it, and discovered it was Erik's mask. Christine glanced up at Meg, who was grinning at her.

"Just in case…you know he'll ask for it…"

Christine watched them turn the corner of the lair. She then turned to survey the damage and chaos around her. She tried to look on the bright side. At least the mob took their dead body with them when they left, she thought.

Author's note 2: All right! Now Christine and Erik are alone. How will Erik feel? I wasn't really happy with this chapter, but I needed sort of a transition into my next angle. The next chapter will be all about Erik and Christine-and I don't intend on their relationship to be fairy tale perfect. You'll see in the next chapter. Thanks again to all the people that take the time to read my story. I love to write, and you guys are definitely giving me a confidence boost. :)