Author's Notes: I'm really not sure how old Meg is in POTO. I'm just going to take a guess. Now, in the musical/book Christine was 16. I'm just going to make Meg the same age. But in this chapter, she's going to be old, not by much though. She's going to be 18 from here on out. Also, I thought long and hard on what production I wanted the Opera House to put on for this phic, and I figured "Beauty and Beast" would be perfect for it. Now, there are many versions of this fairy tale. So, just kind of bare with me as I put the one I know down in this phic. One more thing, I'm going to introduce a little bit of conflict in here. You'll see what I mean. Enough of my rambling: on with the phic!

Reviewer Shoutouts: Melleth Nimithil - Woot! My first reviewer. Sorry about my grammar. It's really bad, along with my spelling. As I said in the prologue, I don't have a beta. So, there you go.

Chapter One: A New Opera House:

A few years later...

Meg found herself standing next to her mother at the grand opening of the new Opera House. The ribbon was cut and applause filled the air. Soon, the doors were open, and Meg took the first step into the House.

It was breathtaking. It was probably better then the one that came before. Meg couldn't help herself. She found an open space and spun on her tiptoes. Madame Giry laughed at her daughter. Meg stopped, turned to her mother and smiled.

"It is good to be back here." Meg replied.

"Yes, it is." agreed Madame Giry. "I'm happy that I get to teach again. I hear that there are a good number of girls who want to take part in this years production." Giry paused for a moment, then added: "Which means, I'm going to need some help. I wonder who would help me..."

Meg's smile brightened. "You mean me?"

"Whom else would I mean?"

"Really?"

"I think you are old enough to help with the task. Not only will I need help teaching, but I will also need someone to help me watch over the girls while they stay in the dormorties."

Meg nodded her head in agreement. She had always her mother with this, but this time go 'round it seemed more improtant. "I'll do my best."

"I know you will." Madame Giry told her and kissed her lightly on her forehead.

"What show will be putting on this year momma?" asked Meg.

"I'm not sure." Madame Giry answered. "However, there are talks of doing 'Beauty and the Beast'." Giry smiled as an old memory came to mind. "Remember when I read that fairy tale to you when you were little?"

"Yes, I do." Meg said. "I would always cry at the end because I thought the beast was dead when the hunters tried to kill him."

"No, they did not." Giry replied. "The beast would not give up, because-."

"Because the beasts love for the lady was too strong. He would not give up until he was in the arms of his beloved." said Meg, cutting her mother off.

Meg couldn't help but sigh to herself. She loved that story so much. When her mother wasn't around, she often wished for that same love that the lady recieved in the story. Now, that she was older it almost felt like she was part of that fairy tale. Meg had found a beast that needed caring and compassion in his life. Instead of a castle, the beast dwelled in the streets below Paris. She would sneek away when her mother wasn't looking and go back to Erik.

Erik couldn't come back to the Opera House at the time that she snuck around. Meg would give him updates on the House. In return, Erik would tell her stories of the gypys that once took care of him. It was then that Meg learned why Erik grew so cold towards the outside world. She would be frightened as he told his stories. Erik had a way of doing that. He could change his voice from dark to light in a matter of moments.

However, no matter how dark the story was, Erik always had a way of making her laugh in the end. She loved being in his company, and in return, he too enjoyed her visits. In these past few years, their friendship had grown, maybe into something more. Meg was not sure. She had never felt this way about anyone before...

"Are you all right?"

Meg jumped at her mother's question. She quickly nodded. "Yes, sorry, my thoughts ran away with me."

"I can see that."

"May I ask when we start the auditions?" Meg asked, changing the subject.

"Next week." Madame Giry answered her.

"Momma, can I ask you another question?"

"Of course you can."

Meg began to grow nervous. She had always been a dancer in the background, or a chorus girl. She didn't want to be that any longer. She wanted to be the leading lady. Meg just wasn't sure on how her mother would handle that. She would soon get her answer.

"Can I try out for the leading lady?"

It was Madame Giry's turn to sigh. "No. I am sorry."

"Why not?"

"It takes a lot of work Meg." Giry answered.

"I know, remember I watched Christine as she took center stage." replied Meg. "I can do it momma. I really can."

"The answer is still no."

"Why?"

"Christine had the voice, my dear. You simply do not." Madame Giry replied. Giry could see the hurt look on her daughter's face. "However, you do have the legs for dancing."

"I don't want to be a dancer anymore momma!" cried Meg. "I want to be a singer!"

"No."

Meg could feel the tears forming in her eyes. She turned her back to her mother. "Meg, I know my words hurt you, but I only speak the truth-"

"I do not wish to talk to you." Meg said no more and stormed out of the new Opera House.

Giry watched as her daughter ran out of the theatre. She knew that she had hurt her daughter but she had to. Madame Giry knew Meg where the Phantom was. Meg would beg him to train her to sing, and that's what the Madame wanted. If he trained her, he would soon come out. Then all would be done. The Phantom would finally be caught.

TBC...