The point of no return

A gauze half conceals a tableau of guests at the opera ball. The guests (Whom we cannot see clearly yet) are in fancy dress: a peacock, a lion, a dragon, Mephistopheles, a highwayman, a clown, knights, ladies and an executioner.

Draco enters. He is dressed as a skeleton in an opera cape. Almost at once, Blaise arrives. He is also dressed as a skeleton in an opera cape. The two skeletons see each other and approach each other nervously.

Draco asks in a whisper, "M'sieur Firmin?"

Blaise asked in the same fashion, "M'sieur Andre?"

Each raises his mask and the recognize each other.

Blaise sang, "Dear Andre what a splendid party!"

Draco sang back triumphantly, "The prologue to a bright new year!"

Blaise sang approvingly, "Quite a night! I'm impressed!"

Draco replied graciously, "Well, one does one's best…"

Draco and Blaise sing as they raise their champagne glasses, "Here's to us!"

Blaise sang, "I must say, all the same, that it's that 'Phantom' fellow isn't here!

The gauze fully lifts to reveal the staircase of the opera house. The opera ball begins. Among the guests are four carrying strange percussion instruments: a monkey with symbols, a toy soldier with a drum, a triangle and bells. Together they play oddly throughout.

The entire cast sing, " Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade. Masquerade! Look around- there's another face behind you! Flash of mauve…Splash of puce…Fool and King…Ghoul and goose…Green and black…Queen and priest…Trace of rouge…Face of beast…Faces…Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round…in an inhuman race! Eye of gold…Thigh of blue…True and false…Who is who…? Curl of lip…Swirl of gown.. Face of clown…Faces…Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned in the light…in the sound…"

Zara and Joey sang, "But who can name the face…?"

The cast all sang again, "Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds. Masquerade! Take your fill-let the spectacle astound you! Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Seething shadows, breathing lies. Masquerade! You can fool any fool who ever knew you! Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes. Masquerade! Run and hide- but a face will still pursue you!"

The ensemble activity becomes background. Draco, Blaise, Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Pansy came in fore.

Ginny sang "What a night!"

Hermione sang "What a crowd!"

Draco sang "Makes you glad!"

Blaise sang "Makes you proud! All the crème de la crème!"

Pansy sang "Watching us and watching them!"

Hermione and Ginny sang "And all our fears are in the past!"

Draco sang "Six months…"

Ron sang "Of relief!"

Pansy sang "Of delight!"

Both managers sang " Of Elysian peace!"

Ginny and Hermione sang "And we can breathe at last!"

Pansy sang "No more notes!"

Ron sang "No more ghost!"

Ginny sang "Here's a health!"

Draco sang "Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!"

Blaise sang "To a new chandelier!"

Ron and Pansy sang "And may it's splendour never fade!"

Draco sang "Six months!"

Ginny sang "What a joy!"

Hermione sang "What a change!"

The managers sang "What a blessed relief!"

Draco sang "And what a Masquerade!"

They clink champagne classes and move off. Zara and Joey emerge, Christine is admiring a new acquisition: an engagement ring from Raoul, which she has attached to a gold chain around her neck.

Zara sang "Think of it! A secret engagement! Look-your future bride! Just think of it!"

Joey sang "But why is it secret? What have we to hide?"

Zara sang back pleadingly, "Please, let's not fight…"

Joey sang "Christine, you're free!"

Zara sang back desperately "Wait till the time is right…"

Joey sang back "When will that be? It's an engagement, not a crime! Christine, what are you afraid of?"

Zara sang "Let's not argue…"

Joey answered "Let's not argue…"

Hermione sang "Please pretend…"

Joey sang "I only hope I'll…"

Zara sang "You will…"

They both sang "You will understand in time…"

A dance begins, Christine nervously goes from man to man. Too many of her partners seem to look like the Phantom, each spins her around with increasing force. Eventually, Raoul rescues her and hols her tightly. He whirls her back into her dance as the music heads towards it's climax. As it does (This part sounds like 'Christine I love you!') Joey and Zara kiss.

Everyone sang "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade! Masquerade Look around- there's another mask behind you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads. Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Grinning yellows swirling reds. Masquerade! Take your fill- you Let the spectacle astound you!"

At the height of activity a grotesque figure suddenly appears at the top of the staircase. Dressed all in crimson, with Death's head visible inside the hood of the robe. The Phantom has come to the party.

Harry sang mockingly "Why so silent good messieurs? Did you think I had left you for good? Have you missed me good messieurs? I have written you an opera!" He took a large manuscript bound in leather and threw it and Draco's feet. "Don Juan Triamphant! I advise you to comply- my instructions should be clear. Remember there are worse things than a shattered chandelier…"

Zara mesmerized approaches Harry who is beckoning her. They are fairly close he reaches out, grasps the chain which holds the ring and rips in from her neck.

"Your chains are mine- you sing for me!"

They all cower in fear as the music crescendos until suddenly the figure disappears.

A/N: Chapter fin

All done for today soz about the not so recent updates school just started up and I'm already stressed out, with teachers wanting me to do around 30 different things.

Reviews:

superspunky7: Hey, yip I love to add backstage stuff. lol (:) cookie

xAngelxOfxMusicx: Her was more. (:)

KicKstand: Ummmmm... well I don't know if it's called an intervention but I'm glad you liked the chapter. lol (;)