The Phantom who Lived Chapter 5: The Phantom who Lived, a phantom of the opera fanfic

A/N I'm doing the chapter notes at the first of this chapter, because I want to give you an early warning. No, there isn't any nudity or sex or whatever. It's just a little more adult, like for people around thirteen or so. This is why I rated this story "T" for this part and Point of No Return. If people younger than thirteen read this, it's not like they'll be damaged for life or anything. It's just, it has more romantic themes to it. Yeah. : ) I also have ending notes, so look for those when you are done reading this chapter.

Harry Potter, the one called Phantom who Lived, strode with his student and obsession down the path behind the common room mirror. The mirror was now behind them, becoming more and more distant as they walked further down into hidden passage.

He closed his hand over the beautiful girl's. Her touch, he could feel, even with his black leather gloves over his hands, was warm and gentle. He looked into her soft, brown eyes. They were in wonder and fascination. They were so innocent and calm. He noticed quickly that her eyes refused part from his own.

The passage they walked was made of damp, golden stone. It seemed almost endless, going on for miles, but the two gave no notice. The gallery was lined with endless lit candles floating in mid-air. It made very little twists or turns.

Harry couldn't help but turning his head to look back at her, admiring her beauty every few moments. Her gold crimpy hair, wisps of the bangs falling onto her face; her curvaceous pale body, covered by a loose revealing shirt, skirt, and stockings; Every time he would look back, a discrete smile would show up onto his face. Hermione could only see, black strands of messy hair covering it, the mask that the boy hid behind. His green eyes, full of mystery and secrets behind the mask, would always connect with hers in a seducing glance. And her mind began to speak to her.

This is the voice. This is the boy that sang to me as I slept in my bed. In dreams, he would always come. He calls to me and speaks my name.

They had now come to the end of the passage. A wooden door stood ahead of them, illuminated by the light of a nearby torch on its holder. The fire seemed to flicker and flow every which way, for a cold draft seemed to be coming from under the door. With his hand still clasped in hers, he, with his free hand, groped the rectangular shaped doorknob of the door and opened it.

His body turned fully around, facing her. His green eyes bore into hers. He was still for only a moment, but then he gave a single nod to her.

It was if an invisible force grabbed her throat. Without warning or knowing what she was doing, she began to sing aloud.

"And do I dream again? For now I find…the Phantom who Lived, I know, is there inside my mind."

It was as if a warm blanket filled her soul. Her voice…she hadn't ever sung like that in her entire life! Even previously in the evening when she sang for the École Hogwarts did she sing as well as she had just now. This boy was an enchantment, a genius, a magician of the mind and soul. He knew how to bring out the best of Hermione. Although they had had many wonderful singing lessons together, tonight was something knew. It was the beginning of something…

They were now outside on the grassy grounds of Hogwarts. The moonlight shone brightly on the two figures. The lake was only paces away from them. Waiting there was a brown rowing boat, bobbing slowly on the lake, sending ripples into the water.

Harry guided Hermione to the exit of the doorframe, and he exited himself, shutting the door behind him. Hermione could feel the autumn air on her arms, but hardly paid attention to it. Harry's mask glared in the moonlight, making it look white as ever. But she could not study him for long, for he imprisoned her waist with his harm, lifting her feet off of the ground.

She found this very unexpected, for she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, but she also found it very appealing and romantic, as if she didn't need more of his hypnotizing presence.

She felt a warm breath on her arms as she was lifted up into a sitting position. She had soon realized what the figure was that she had been lifted up to.

A white colored unicorn with a glimmering silver horn on its head waited patiently, as a horse would to its master. Hermione had recognized this creature, as it had been seen previously in this evening's opera. The unicorn's name was César, one of the more favored unicorns living in the school. It had been accused of missing almost every night without explanation. Hermione, however, now knew the reason why. It was the unicorn belonging to her teacher, who rightfully claimed it for his own.

Her legs dangled over the side of César's back as she rode sidesaddle upon him. Her hands were clasped onto its white neck for security, while Harry held the reigns steadily in a firm grip. The unicorn and the girl were guided toward the misty lakeside in the cold night at Harry's command.

While Hermione sat comfortably on the unicorn's back, she couldn't help but look, once again, into those miraculous eyes of the boy. Something about them made her drawn to him. She didn't understand why, nor did she want to know. All she wanted to do was look at him, be with him for as long as she could.

Harry felt a light wind brush against the loose sleeves of his cloak. Looking up, his messy black hair slightly in his eyes, he felt the soft glance upon him, as he knew the girl must have been mesmerized by him.

Giving a sinister grin, he, himself, began to sing. "Will you sing once again our strange duet?" His voice was baritone, but unusual. It was slightly harsh, but very seductive to the ears. Not at all did he fail to give her feelings she had never felt.

He continued. "My power over you grows stronger yet. And though you turn from me to glance behind, the Phantom who Lived, you know, is there inside your mind."

As he finished his words, the grassy path merged with the water as they came to the lake. Ceasing the unicorn to stop, he let the reigns in his hands fall, letting go and setting the creature free. Reaching up, he placed his gloved hands onto Hermione's middle, the cloth of her blouse pressing against her. She placed her hands onto his shoulders, as he gently lifted the girl from the creature's back onto the ground.

Her feet hit the ground, but Harry didn't let go. His hands were still imprisoned on her waist. His eyes gleamed into hers.

For a moment, there was silence on the grounds. The wind in the air felt almost softer and warmer. It brushed through Hermione's hair, pushing the stray hairs from her face.

Both students were silent, every moment unexpected of what was to happen. Nothing and everything was happening at that exact moment. They're bodies were still, yet both minds raced fiercely. Emotions were in a spin, but Harry knew he had to take hold.

He sighed softly, his eyes parting from Hermione's. He gave a glance to César, almost forgotten the moment. Making a quick gesture with his hand, he sent the unicorn back to the school stables, and, hooves patting softly on the ground, vanished into the darkness without a trace.

A moment after, Harry released a hand from Hermione's waist. Placing one hand by her side, the other into the girl's palm, he led her to the rowing boat, silently waiting.

He supported Hermione as she stepped up into the dark, cold boat. Her feet pressed into its inside, rocking slightly at her touch. The soles of her stockings were slightly wet from the damp grass, but she needn't pay much attention to it.

As her clothes rippled slightly in the wind, she began to lower herself down, supported by the boy's hand. As she seated herself down, she heard a splash of water behind her, and grew aware that the boy, too, had entered the small boat. He, however, did not sit down, and stood directly behind her. By pushing a long stick into the deep lake bottom in replacement for oars, he began to move the rowing boat forward, gliding across the dark, misty lake.

As they drew further and further away from the bright castle, Hermione's awareness also seemed to draw further and further away. Instead of logic and sensibility, she was now caught up in this fantasy and dream that she could not escape from, nor did she want to…

The surroundings of the night became clear. A large trunk of a tree, its roots spreading every which way into the lake, was now coming before them. It quivered for a moment. It's branches rustled, it's leaves shaking slightly. Then, in a matter of seconds by the flick of a wand, the tree was immobilized. It stood directly still, as if made of stone.

For a moment, there was stillness and silence. But almost instantly, the base of the tree, as if pulled by unseen strings, began to split directly into two, water rushing into its opening. A mysterious light inside of the trunk illuminated the opening. By command, the boat moved forward to the light, and began entering the inside of the earthly tree.

The tree's ceiling above them was of petrified wood. It was quite high above their heads, lit up by light from the water's reflection. Ahead was a bed of mist, making it uncertain to what was to come ahead to the girl in the boat. The boy, however, must have been through the cavern many times, for he did not show any sign of confusion or question.

Hermione kept her head upward, looking at the beautiful surroundings. Her eyes were forward, wondering what was to come around each corner.

Curiosity filled her head, and filled her with the urgency of the moment. She broke the silence of the night by singing the song of her and the boy.

"Those who have seen your face," she began in her soprano voice, "Draw back in fear. I am the mask you wear - "

"It's me they hear." The voice behind her abruptly finished.

Hermione, taken aback, gave a subtle smile as she heard the boy sing. His voice felt as warm as the summer the more times she heard it. She wanted to hear him again, his beautiful voice, so soft and compelling.

So, she sang once more with him their beautiful song, as it now became a duet.

"You're spirit and my voice…"

"My spirit and your voice in one combined."

"The Phantom who lived, I know…"

"You know is there…"

"Inside my mind."

"Your mind…"

Although their words were different, it was also the same. The feelings of passion and curiosity that they felt were the same. The dark song they sang, in which was so hypnotizing and eerie, was the same. Their thoughts of not knowing what was about to happen were, too, both the same. By an invisible force, they were now one body, mind, and soul.

Quietly, the boy spoke behind her. "Sing my Angel of Magic…"

She obeyed and began to sing once more. "He's there, the Phantom who Lived."

Her voice, she remembered, could be enchanted by the Vox Bona spell. Realizing this, she started to sing various notes. She sang the most beautiful notes to the boy with hardly any struggle.

Her voice filled his ears. He found his Angel's voice was so strong and gorgeous. Listening to her sweet song, he commanded once more to her, "Sing my Angel of Magic."

As she sang, without warning, the bed of fog dispersed furtively and quickly. The path of water ahead of them became clear, and brightness filled the cave.

A small room stood opposite of the lake. It was a room in which was slightly disordered and cluttered. The colorless wallpaper was peeling from the walls, indicating the room was somewhat old. A wooden railing above their heads gave the indication of a second floor of the home. Windows of the house were boarded up with wood and nails, as to keep out intruders. Various candles, just as the ones in the passage Hermione and Harry had taken, floated aimlessly in the air, filling the room with its light.

Hermione finally recognized the house as she continued to sing various notes. It was the legendary Shrieking Shack, heard to be untouchable to human feet but of the ones by Phantom who Lived.

Harry gave one final command to Hermione as she reached her climax of the tune. "Sing for me!"

Hermione gave one final note of her song, which echoed throughout the chamber. As she had done this, the boat merged with the floorboard of the room and stopped.

Stepping out of the boat and onto the wooden floor, Harry quickly entered his dark home, his cloak billowing out from under him as he walked quickly. He turned himself toward Hermione, smiling onto her. He extended his arms toward the home, showing his kingdom to her for the first time.

"I have brought you," he spoke softly. "To the seat of magic's thrown. This is the kingdom where you surrender to the magic."

Walking further into the home, he turned his back toward her and continued. "You've come here for one purpose and one alone. That first time I heard you sing to me, I've needed you with me, to serve and to sing my music with magic. Magic…"

He paused for a moment as he gazed into Hermione's eyes, his eyes boring into hers. Remaining in the boat, she gazed upwardly at him silently in fascination. He smiled slightly as she stared at him. For now was the time to show her why he had truly brought her there.

His eyes never parting from hers, he began to sing with the voice of the Vox Bona spell. "Nighttime sharpens which hightens each sensation. The darkness will stir, waking the imagination. Silently your senses abandon their defenses…"

He paused for a tender moment. As his eyes stared toward her, he extended his hand, inviting her to take it. He stood still and watched the girl. Her dark skirt fell to her sides as slowly lift herself up from the rowing boat and her stockings touched onto the floorboards. She hesitantly walked forward to him, abandoning the boat. Slowly, she placed her hand into his.

His smile grew slightly as they locked hands, and his glance became more seducing, drawing her in.

"Slowly and gently," he continued, his voice mellow and calming. "Night will unfurl its splendor." Reaching out his hand, he beckoned him toward her. "Grasp it, sense it. Feel how it's tremulous and tender."

Hermione's eyes began to part with his, trying to take everything in. She looked upward toward the second landing above them, but the boy denied her from doing such thing. Placing a hand on her chin, he turned her head toward his, gently forcing her to look into his own green eyes.

"Turn your face away from the garish light of day. Simply exclude your thoughts of cold, unfeeling light. Just listen to the magic of the night."

At last, he released his hand from Hermione's. Giving one last glance at her, Harry quickly turned his back to her and continued to walk further into the home.

He quickly began to climb the wooden stairs in the house, the bottom of his cloak brushing against each step. As he left the girl standing silently alone below on the second landing, her eyes followed him as he reached the top of the stairway, his back still turned to her.

When he came to the peak of the landing, he quickly whirled around and placed his hands on the banister in front of him.

"Close your eyes," he began to crescendo, "And surrender to your darker dream. Purge your thoughts of that life you knew before."

Taking a breath, he gave a seducing watch to Hermione. She began to give a grin at his words, still silently watching.

"Close your eyes…" he softly sang. "Let your spirit start to soar." Lifting his hands up, he gave his command to Hermione.

She let her eyes close. Her body began to feel warm and calm. Her body felt as if it was being lifted off the ground. Her senses began to feel numb, feeling nothing but the power of his voice. Her mind was at ease at last, forgetting everything about the hours before. She was now focused on just him.

She exhaled, her shoulders dropping. She opened her eyes and gave an amazed sigh to the boy above her. With her mouth slightly open, she gave a quick blithe smile.

He began walking back onto the stairs as he completed his notes. He dropped his head slightly, his eyes becoming sinister and passionate. "And you'll live," he quietly sang. "As you've never lived before." On his last words, he reached out his hand once more to the girl, just as he had done moments before. She stepped forward to him, reaching the stairs, and accepted his hand again.

They stepped onto the top stair and onto the second landing. A single golden curtain stood to the far end, untouched and still. To the right of it was a wall of black doors, all closed and locked. To the side of the doors were the walls met was a full length standing mirror covered up by a white sheet. At the top of the mirror, carved words read "Erised stra ehru", and were cut off by the covered cloth, unknown to what the other words read.

Standing in the heart of the landing, Harry stopped walking. He turned his body to face Hermione's, and began singing once more. "Softly, deathly, the magic will caress you. Give into it, feel it secretly possess you."

He was so close to Hermione now that their faces almost touched. The girl's golden hair brushed against his chest. With her head bowed down, she glanced up into his eyes.

Harry calmly looked down into her eyes, not minding the hair that was caught in front of his eyes. As he circled around her, he proceeded. "Open up your mind. Let your fantasies unwind in this darkness that you know you cannot fight. Just listen to the magic of the night."

He slowly backed away from her, his face smiling upon the girl. Walking around her slowly, his eyes began to glow from the floating candles around him.

"Let your mind start a journey through a strange and new world. Leave all of thoughts of that life you knew before."

Hermione's gaze fell on him, watching him circle around the candles. His eyes forcefully looked into hers, almost lustfully and passionate.

"Let your soul take you to were you want to be!" he intensely sang to her. As he came close to her, she automatically placed her hands upon his cloaked shoulders and looked upward into his eyes. He began to raise his hands toward her pale neck, barely touching her.

"Only then can you belong…to me." He spoke quietly; a hint of sorrow was hidden in his words. His singing was now lost, and the words he meant to say were now spoken.

Hermione absent-mindedly slid her hands from his shoulders down to his upper arms. Her body felt almost numb. Her arms prickled slightly, and her legs grew weak. She no longer had control of her own body, but she didn't have fear. She actually felt enjoyment, such bliss. She could no longer deny him.

Harry placed his hands onto her hips, slowly turning her body around, the back of her body pressed against his. Without hesitation, he guided his hands across her body, onto her chest, guiding his hands on her stomach, down her thighs…

"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication…" he whispered gently into her ear. His warm breath could be felt upon Hermione's ears and on her neck.

She closed her eyes, feeling his warm touch upon her own body. Her head slowly rested upon his shoulder. The carnal impulse couldn't be ignored. He took his hand upon hers, placing her own onto his unmasked side of his face.

"Touch me, trust me." He whispered vigorously into her ear. His hands guided hers across his face, across his cheek and jaw. "Savor each sensation."

She gently opened her eyes and turned her head around toward him. Placing both hands into hers, he looked into her eyes, feeling the warmth in them.

Again, he began to walk hand in hand with the girl across the landing. "Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the magic dark as night. The power of the magic of the night."

He led her to the golden curtain at the side of the room. As he put a hand on her side, her shirt pressing against the girl, he placed a hand on the curtain and drew it. Unknown of what was to be expected, Hermione turned her head over her shoulder, curious and unknowing. Harry responded by looking down at her, then forward, inclining her to look at what was ahead of them. Turning her head back, she glanced at what was ahead of her.

Standing before her was an exact replica of herself looking extravagant. Her hair was pulled back into a half ponytail, letting her wavy gold hair set freely on her bare shoulders. Her gown was a witch's wedding dress. The slender straps were of white fabric, touching down on the v-necked collar. The hem touched the floor slightly, covered with many layers of silky, cream cloth. Looking at herself, she gave note that it looked very fitting and precise.

The statue was still with a discrete smile on her red lips. Her brown sparkling eyes stared directly at her. It was if she were looking at herself in a mirror, still and petrified. The petrified version of herself.

Petrified…

Thoughts rushed back into her mind. She recalled her second year at École Hogwarts. There were tremendous amounts of fears of attacks on muggle born students. She, herself, had been a target for the evil beast that caused it. That hideous monster lurking in the walls. Those yellow catlike eyes…

Thinking about them was like looking directly into them once more. She couldn't see them again. She could bear to look and stare into them as her body froze without control. She had no power over her body, her thoughts left her, knowing that she could have nearly died.

Overwhelmed by the tragic thoughts of the past, everything became distant. Her legs grew weak and her consciousness left her, for she could feel herself being swallowed in, falling into the black darkness.

They boy gave a quick look at Hermione, giving notice to her weakness. Immediately, he grabbed her shoulders, protecting her from falling onto the hard ground, and grabbed the back of her legs while lifting them up. He held her lightweight body in his arms for a moment, shifting her to become comfortable.

Her head rested in his arms as he began to walk toward one of the locked rooms of the second landing. Her silence was calming and gentle. She looked like an angel as she slept, little wisps of gold hair brushing her pale face.

Harry gave a warm smile down to her. His Angel had finally come and rescued him from all the cruelty of the world above.

"Alohamora." He whispered at the door, speaking barely above a whisper. He didn't want to disturb her slumber in which she so peacefully slept in.

The old, wooden door slowly swung open on its hinges, revealing a solitary bedroom. A single four-post bed stood there with its oak ends arced into a phoenix head. Red and gold satin sheets moved slightly as the boy made his way to the bed.

He sat the girl gently down on her back, slowly setting her head down with the rest of her body. Her blouse ruffled barely as she was placed onto the bed.

Kneeling beside her on one knee, he sat down by her lifeless body, savoring her beautiful features. He stared directly into her closed eyes, imagining of what an angel could be dreaming of.

Placing a hand on her chin, he turned her head towards himself, her crimped hair moving slightly at his touch.

Whispering, he spoke, "You alone can make my spells take flight. Help me make the magic of the night."

He held his hand on her chin for a moment longer, still looking into her sleeping eyes. He eventually gently slid his hand away, lifting himself up off of his knees as he left the girl on top of the satin sheets of the bed.

He backed away so gently and quietly that his footsteps could barely be heard under the wooden floor. He reached his way to the doorframe, and placed his hand on the doorknob.

He gave one last look at his angel. She seemed so serene and tranquil in the darkness of magic. It was finally where she needed to be. Here in the darkness with the Phantom who Lived is truly were truly belonged, away from the light above the school, away from the white magic and spells. She was meant to be with him. Harry…

Bowing his head slightly, he quietly closed the door to the room.

Damn, this chapter is long! BUT my favorite chapter to write so far! Also the hardest to write… The first of the chapter was hardly like PotO, then the end of it was too much like PotO. I didn't know what to do! –cries-

I tried making it that Christine/Hermione wasn't so hypnotized and out of it. She was under Harry's spell (metaphorically speaking) and wanted just him, totally forgetting about Ron. I tried to make her more aware of what was going on, and not so…foggy headed and lazy eyed. Lol!

(Yes, I do know the lyrics to Music of the Night, thank you. I changed them to sound more like Harry Potter, neh?)

So! Thanks so much for the reviews and reading this, you guys! I really do appreciate it. Be sure to look in the news section, since I update that quite a bit. Thank you!

-hugs readers-

Yumi

By the way, if you want to get an idea of what Hermione and Harry look like in this chapter, check out the pic I drew (yes, I know I can't draw). Remember to take the spaces out when you enter the URL: