Chapter 4:
The same morning, Dumbledore sorted through the mail and through the new stories circulating that morning. The owl delivered his Daily Prophet right on schedule. He nearly ripped it out of the poor bird's beak. "Brilliant Opera Performance Plagued by Missing Divas!" the headline screamed.
Hogsmeade—The Hogwarts Opera House was the setting for a production of the opera "Hannibal." The show was already in trouble when rumors that Lady Narcissa Malfoy would not be performing the role of "Elissa" as intended. A young chorus member named Kristin Wright replaced La Cissa. What would normally be a recipe for disaster turned into a great performance, according to the Prophet critic (Turn to page 16 for the "Hannibal" review). Then disaster struck again.
The opera was a success for the new managers, Messieurs Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin. The two made millions in the scrap cauldron business and bought the opera house as their newest venture when previous manager Alastor Moody resigned. Kristin Wright's performance was hailed by patrons as "delightful" and "angelic."
Miss Wright's voice also caught the attention of the new patron of the Opera. Count Sirius Black reportedly called on the new diva and invited her to dinner. Count Black, of course, is the heir to one of the wizarding world's largest fortune and most influential families. The Count went out front to ready his carriage but returned to find the new diva missing!
Police officers called in by the Count were baffled by the sudden disappearance. Rumors abound about the "Phantom of the Dungeons" calling the Opera House home. Perhaps this mysterious figure is behind the absences of both La Cissa and Miss Wright? The new managers should be investigating the matters. Tonight at the Opera House—if not yet cancelled due to lack of leading ladies—is a production of "Il Muto."
Rita Skeeter
Daily Prophet
Dumbledore chuckled as he tossed the paper down onto his desk. He rubbed his hands together in glee. It was like this that an extremely concerned Lupin walked in to find. "What are you so gleeful about?" he asked.
"What are you so glum about?" his partner countered. "I just read the paper."
"So did I. Did you Skeeter's report? That woman lives on gossip!"
"Exactly."
"Dumbledore, my father may have respected you, but I think something is seriously wrong with you!"
Dumbledore tisked. "My dear Lupin, what are you so concerned about? This is now free publicity! Narcissa storming out caused young Kristin to take the stage and outshine La Cissa. And then Kristin herself disappeared! The newspapers are having a field day and putting out Opera House on everyone's lips!" Dumbledore walked over to his window and threw it open. He looked down and started to laugh, motioning Lupin over.
Lupin looked down to see people massing near the ticket booth. "Look at all the people!" Dumbledore exclaimed, grabbing the paper. "I told you this was our windfall! We'll have a full house! A FULL HOUSE!"
Lupin pulled his head back in and gave his colleague an annoyed look. "Sure, a windfall—another full house," he said. "But, my dear Dumbledore, you forget one teeny, tiny, small, miniscule fact."
"Oh? What?"
"WE DON'T HAVE A LEADING LADY!" Lupin roared. "We upset La Cissa so she isn't coming back to us with open arms. And we have no clue where Kristin is!"
Dumbledore scowled and contemplated his partner's words. He had to admit that Lupin was right, there was no leading lady—a must for "Il Muto." He had just said that there was a full house awaiting them, and they would have to either make a decision to open the ticket booth or to refund everyone that night. There was only one thing to do. "We need to figure out how to placate La Cissa so she will come back. Flowers or money—something!" Dumbledore said.
Lupin ran to the door and threw it open, ready to comply with Dumbledore's advice, when he bent down. There, on the floor, were two letters that appeared to be dropped there. One envelope bore his name; the other had Dumbledore's written on it. "Albus, we have letters. Here—here's yours."
Dumbledore took the envelope and broke the snake seal to pull out while Lupin began to read his:
"Dear Lupin,
"Congratulations on a wonderful performance! Kristin had a successful debut. Narcissa's sudden departure should be made more permanent—with Kristin, she is no longer needed now! Otherwise, the chorus was perfect but the dancing needs some improvement!"
Dumbledore shook his head as he read his:
"Dear Dumbledore,
"This is just a quick reminder. My salary is due. In fact, it's overdue but I let you off the hook since Moody just turned over the Opera House. But after last night's take, I cannot remain silent any longer. After all, you wouldn't want to set the precedent of making late payments for the start of our relationship, now do you? I cannot tolerate tardiness, just to warn you."
Lupin tossed his letter on to his desk while Dumbledore crumbled his up in disgust. "Who would dare to send such notes?" he asked. "Mine's signed O.G. Yours?"
"Same. Who could he be?" Lupin wondered, before sighing. "Opera Ghost. Remember what McGonagall said?"
"About that Phantom and his salary? I'm not giving into the demands of a raving lunatic!"
At that moment, the door burst open and Lupin, perfectly believing in a Phantom and thinking that it was he coming to make Dumbledore pay for insulting him, ducked behind his chair. Instead of an angry phantom, it was an upset Sirius. "My good gentlemen," the Count said, "could you tell me the meaning of this?"
Lupin emerged from behind his chair. "Meaning of what?" he asked. The Count shoved a piece of paper into Lupin's hand. "Oh, you've received one too?"
"What? Didn't you send it? One of you?"
"I believe you are mistaken. Remus, read it, please. See if it confirms what we already think."
Lupin nodded at Dumbledore's request and opened Sirius' letter. He thus began to read:
"Dear Sir,
"Do not fear for Miss Wright. She is under the good care of her Angel of Music. She does not need you getting in the way of her career. Do NOT contact her in any shape or form again.
"Signed, our friend the Opera Ghost—OG," Lupin said, tossing the note down on top of his. "Could today get any worse?"
And to prove the chaos theory true, the doors were thrown open by an enraged Narcissa Malfoy. She was then followed by cowering Fudge et al into the room. Lupin decided to move behind his chair while Sirius walked to the other side of the room, visibly afraid. Only Dumbledore worked up the courage to confront the angry diva. "Our diva has returned! It is so good to see you, my lady."
Narcissa didn't respond well to Dumbledore's tone. "You think I am going to return to you with open arms? You replaced ME with some chorus girl! And then, to add insult to injury, I receive this note from him!" She pointed to Sirius. "Your precious patron! I heard about you and that ballet mouse!"
Sirius, too outraged on the attack he was receiving to worry about the woman hexing him, stepped forward and grabbed the note. When Narcissa protested, he spat out, "I thought I sent it, right? I have the right to read it!
"Dear Madame:
"Your days at the Hogwarts Opera House are over. It is time to step down and hand over the prima donna crown to Kristin Wright. If you do not, the crown will be forcibly passed from you.
"I'd like to say this is from our friend, OG, but this note isn't signed. I guess in an effort to chase me out even more, he decided to make your prima donna think I am threatening her out of the opera. She complains, you dump me as patron, ban me from the House and I can never see Kristin again!"
Lupin moved around his desk because Narcissa wasn't quite as homicidal now as she was before. He leaned against it, picking up the other two letters while motioning for La Cissa's. "So, we know one thing. This Opera Ghost is very protective of Miss Wright. Or has a strong fixation on her, at least," he said.
"Hmm, all we've heard since taking over has been Kristin Wright. When will it stop?"
"Miss Wright has returned," McGonagall said, spooking all in the room with her mysterious appearance. "So sorry, the door was open. I though you two—as well as the Count—would like to know that."
Sirius pushed forward. "Where is she? Can I see her?"
"I brought her to her apartment with the ballet corps. She needed to go home," McGonagall explained.
"She needed rest," Harmony said, popping out from behind her mother. "She was very tired."
La Cissa pushed the patron away from the McGonagall women. "Will she perform tonight? Will she sing?"
McGonagall didn't respond but looked past Narcissa to the managers. "I have a note for you," she said, holding up an envelope similar to the ones Lupin and Dumbledore received earlier in the day. She handed it off to Lupin, who seemed to be collecting the notes like one would collect rare coins.
He broke the seal, pulled out the note and began to become nervous as he read:
"Dear Sirs:
"I have left you specific instructions about my opera, which so far, you have ignored. This is your third chance—remember, three strikes and you are out. I have returned Miss Wright to you and I believe it is in your best interest to put her on tonight. You are scheduled to do "Il Muto," so Miss Wright can play the Countess while Narcissa can play the pageboy. Trust me, people will be eternally grateful for La Cissa's silence during the opera. And remember—I have yet to be paid! Send the money with the owl that will come tonight.
"Once again—it's our Opera Ghost!" Lupin exclaimed. "And he's still fixated on Kristin." He tossed down the letter.
When the small piece of paper hit the desk, all hell broke loose. "I've been replaced. The note was correct! My position, which I have worked hard to obtain, is being ripped from me and given to KRISTIN!" Narcissa ranted. "I will not go on in a silent role. Put the little ballet brat in the role—and I don't mean the Ghost's precious Kristin."
"Hey!" Harmony said, crossing her arms. "If I recall, the head ballerina has a different role in the opera. She is not meant to be the pageboy."
McGonagall at the same time was issuing a warning. "Do not cross the Angel. He has a dark side that the good sirs don't want to unleash upon them and this opera house. Moody complied—do the same!"
"Moody went insane!" Fudge said—the first words he said since coming into the room. "That's what he got for following the Phantom's orders!"
"This is all because of Kristin Wright! I say, we get rid of her," Narcissa suggested, crossing her arms. They all stared at her. "What? If that's the only way to stop this madness, then we get rid of her."
"That will just ferment the madness," Lupin sighed. "If we let Miss Wright go, the Phantom may become violent."
"The Phantom is not prone to violence," McGonagall said, but was drowned out by Count Black's outburst.
"No, I will not allow that!" Sirius whirled around to confront Dumbledore. "You even entertain the idea of firing Kristin, I will pull my support for this opera and put it in the opera that she goes to. I'm sure they'll love to have her as their prima donna. She has tons of fans—you'll be out of a few patrons. Do you really want that?"
"If she doesn't go, then I will!" Narcissa shouted after that. "How about that?"
"It would be a blessing," Harmony muttered, loud enough only for her mother to hear. McGonagall shot her daughter a look that was a mixture of humor and reprimand. Harmony scowled and remained back near the door. Meanwhile, Dumbledore and Lupin realized they had to do damage control.
"La Cissa, please," Dumbledore pleaded as the prima donna continued to sputter and spurt. "Mr. Lupin and I don't take orders from a Phantom who can't even threaten us in person."
"Miss Wright will be playing the pageboy—the silent role—La Cissa will be our lead, the countess!" Lupin announced to the room.
Narcissa still wasn't happy. "Now, you are just trying to please me. Do you think this will work?"
"Prima Donna! Our lady of the stage! You can't disappoint your fans!"
"What fans?" Narcissaasked, opening a nearby window. Chants of "We want Kristin!" soon drifted up to the small, tense group. "I have lost my adoring public to that—that—BALLET RAT!"
"Would you mind NOT INSULTING MY GIRLS?" McGonagall yelled. She turned to the managers. "Perhaps it is better La Cissa refuses to sing. That way, the Phantom will be pleased."
"Hold up! I am not playing that phantom's game! I thought I made that clear?" Dumbledore asked as Lupin threw the notes into the fire place. "See. We are not participating in this ghoul's shenanigans. As we have announced it, the casting will stay. We will return to the status quo before this whole affair. That is, if the lady will oblige us."
La Cissa looked flattered. "Of course, I'll oblige you. You're right. We will have to return to the status crow—"
"Quo."
"—whatever. My public just needs to be reminded, that is all."
The small group left the office to begin preparing for the night. They didn't notice that the letters Remus tossed in a few minutes earlier never burned. In fact, a small chamber opened up and they were lifted out of the fire by a gloved hand. "So," Severus hissed as he sorted through each of his letters in his lair, "they've decided to ignore me?"
He fixed mask firmly on his face, drew his cloak on an readied for a night at the opera above his dark house. "If they are deaf to me, than I will have to speak louder," he sneered. "It is war."
A/N: Sorry this took so long! College is over and I'm back at home with limited internet access. My dad is trying to get the house wireless, but we're having some difficulties with that. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this! Thanks to my reviewers:
SarahtheBardess: You're absolutely right about the songs. I'm still trying to figure out how to re-do the chapter in "Beauty and the Potions Professor?" with "If I Can't Love Her" in it as well as take out "Big Spender" from "Le Cirque Boheme." No, I didn't name Kristin because of Christine, but it is eerie. Especially since she originally was supposed to end up with Sirius!
Cerzee: Aww, thanks. I'm blushing.
Aubreianna: Thank you. I try to be original as much as I can.
Wow: Okay, I admit they are similar. I'm just confused. What's your point?
Thanks again! Mac