Chapter 7:
The repairs on the Hogwarts Opera House took longer than expected since muggle papers heard about the death of Hagrid along with the chandelier crash. They were now flocking to Hogsmeade and the usually quick magical reconstruction became a slow, non-magical process. The people of the town wanted to get these intruders out and resume their way of life, but the buzz took a long time. Especially since these visitors gave the drunks new audiences to regale about the Phantom of the Opera.
In the meanwhile, Sirius had taken Kristin back to his mansion for some much need rest, relaxation and quiet time to get re-acquainted with each other. The two spent their time together and fell more deeply in love. One night, Sirius proposed and she accepted. Any and all thoughts of her angel and his twisted alter-ego known as the mysterious Phantom of the Dungeons were gone from her mind as she let the sun shine on her face. "If I didn't love the music so much, there are days I wonder if I want to return to the darkness and just remain out here. With you," she once said, smiling at Sirius. He merely smiled at his fiancée and kissed her hand.
Severus remained holed away in his lair, with only the occasional visits from McGonagall interrupting his dark, monotonous life. She brought him food and made sure he ate it. In between the meals, Severus sat at his organ, composing his own opera. If people weren't going to see past the mask on their own, he would use his musical genius to help them. And, of course, help further Kristin's career in the meantime. She could sing the role, but was still going to need his guidance. It was the perfect way to bring her back to him and away from that stupid Count.
One day, he didn't hear the familiar sounds of the workmen fixing the Opera House. Rather, he heard the more familiar sounds of the Opera backstage crews running around, preparing. Hogwarts was repaired and apparently a new production was starting soon! He decided to go see if any of the performers were back yet, especially his Kristin. Severus first checked on the ballerina corps to find that there was no one, meaning that the other performers weren't back either. He knew without checking that Kristin was still with her beloved Count. But all this movement meant something, and he was going to find out. After all, he was the Phantom of the Dungeons.
The managers liked to think that the Phantom only believed that he had complete control of the Opera House. It made them feel comfortable, more secure, and more important even. But the truth of the matter was that Severus had lived in Hogwarts so long and no one knew he had a hand in rebuilding the castle during major remodeling shortly after he arrived. Severus had not only designed his lair to his perfection, he created more tunnels than the ones McGonagall was aware of. Including one very convenient passageway that led to a vent in the managers' office. And now, he was going to use it and learn how to adjust his plan to regain Kristin's love.
He slowly approached the bent and lay across the pipe, secretly enchanting his wand to maximize the voices in the room for his purpose only. He was surprised to see that Lupin and Dumbledore were not alone. Also present were Flitwick and McGonagall to discuss things now that the Opera House should be opening relatively soon. "So, what's the next opera, Mr. Lupin?"
The two managers looked at each other and Lupin finally answered. "Er—I don't know. We're still thinking about the new season."
"What? Mr. Dumbledore can this be true?"
"I'm afraid it is Mr. Flitwick," the older manager replied.
McGonagall's voice cut through. "Perhaps Flitwick could provide you a list with some of the operas we have done in the past and could be re-used."
"Oh , yes, of course. Whenever," Flitwick replied. "Anyway, so why did you call us here?"
"Ah, yes! Remus, do you want to tell them or should I?"
"Considering it is your idea and I don't really think we have enough money to do so, you do it, Albus."
"Ah, thank you!" Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I have decided that we will celebrate the reopening of Hogwarts in grand style. We will host a masquerade ball!"
"A masquerade!" McGonagall and Flitwick exclaimed. But then they separated on opinion.
Flitwick: How wonderful! I have to go home and plan what I'm going to wear. What music are we going to play? Oh dear."
McGonagall: "Do you think it wise? I think we should listen to Mr. Lupin. We just had to pay for the rebuilding and the new chandelier. Shouldn't we be watching our expenses?"
"Nonsense, Minerva, the Count has already agreed to help with any and all expenses. He believes the idea is marvelous," Dumbledore said. Severus felt the rage boil up inside of him at the mention of the pretty boy's name. "He told us to leave the bill to him and to open the opera in grand style."
"Who will attend?" McGonagall asked.
Lupin responded. "Everyone involved with the Opera House, of course. Maybe a few performances from La Cissa and of course Miss Wright. Maybe even a short ballet performance?"
McGonagall's voice took on a suspicious air. "You are hoping to pull in some more patrons, don't you? At this masquerade. What? Count Sirius Black too little for you?"
"No, no, Madame," Dumbledore stepped in. "The Count has been more than generous to us."
"We just don't want to keep intruding on his finances," Lupin explained. "Especially now that he has to plan his wedding to Kristin. We just want to lighten his burden."
"Of course, sir," McGonagall explained.
"Miss Wright and the Count are engaged? How come I wasn't told?" Flitwick demanded, quite incensed. And he wasn't alone. Up in the vents, Severus was seething. This was a new, rather large roadblock in his ultimate plan. But he continued to listen as McGonagall continued.
"It is done in secret. You can just imagine the rumors if everyone knew the newest opera star was engaged to the Hogwarts patron."
"Not to mention that our Phantom is completely enthralled with Miss Wright," Lupin interjected.
"Are you still receiving notes from him?" Flitwick asked.
Severus heard the two managers breath sighs of relief. He chuckled. "Luckily, no. We think he's moved on…left us alone. Another reason to celebrate, no?" Dumbledore said. "Now, we should get to planning."
"Of course," Flitwick said. "And if you want that list, I'll have it ready for you. Mr. Dumbledore, you and Mr. Lupin can announce the first opera at the masquerade."
"Splendid idea!" Dumbledore said.
"It'll certainly help in the patron gathering," McGonagall encouraged.
Lupin interjected here. "But perhaps we can gain new ones if we also use new operas? Garner interest in the younger generation of opera goers. Some with large inheritances."
"Brilliant!" Dumbledore exclaimed. Severus, though, had heard enough. If what he heard was true, this masquerade would help his plan. He was almost done with his opera and could introduce it to the managers than, before they announce their real first opera. He would be able to lure Kristin back and prove to the managers nothing was removing him from the Opera House. Nothing.
Two weeks later, fireworks were shot off behind Hogwarts, illuminating the town and castle in bright colors. Carriages drawn by the mystical thestrals (which now many patrons could see) pulled up in front of the castle. Patron after patron, performer after performer, excited ballerina after excited ballerina, stagehand after stagehand, all poured from these carriages in brightly colored outfits and various masks. Scary monsters, mythical creatures, fairy princes and princess, knights and their ladies all in many colored masks greeted each other before entering into the Opera House. They were greeted by magnificent decorations and grand orchestrations, to which many were already dancing. There were few who permanently stationed themselves by the seemingly never-ending food tables. Of course, all were walking in and out of the main body to view the new chandelier.
People twirled around the main ballroom, laughing and talking. Many men had chosen to come as a walking corpses dressed in tuxedos with green masks—the legendary Phantom of the Dungeons who caused so much damage months earlier. In between dancers, Dumbledore and Lupin escorted the McGonagall women—Minerva holding onto Alubs, Remus attached to Harmony. Behind them came La Cissa and Fudge, who were waving to their fans. They, along with the managers, soaked up the attention as they all waved to Flitwick, perched high up with the musicians. Both Dumbledore and Lupin, thinking they were the only ones with the idea, were dressed as their number one pest—the Phantom of the Dungeons. Minerva and Harmony were dressed as ancient Greek muses with white, feathery masks while Fudge and Narcissa had just wrapped themselves in sheets of gold with matching gold masks. Flitwick was dressed as a bird.
"Isn't this the grandest thing you have ever been to?" Harmony asked in an excited tone. Lupin only smiled as he patted her hands. "So many people are here tonight. I can't take it all in at once!"
"And they're all watching us!" Narcissa said, reveling in the spotlight as patron after patron acknowledged her and Fudge. The leading tenor was also in his own seventh heaven.
"And the chandelier," Dumbledore added with glee.
McGonagall joined in. "And it has been peaceful."
"No more notes!" Lupin exclaimed. "No more ghost!" They reached the champagne and glasses were passed out. Dumbledore raised his glass.
"A toast. To all who are here. For peace, happiness and success! What a promise!"
"What a masquerade!" McGonagall answered as everyone drank.
Kristin walked into the building wearing a grand pink dress, a pink mask and a jeweled crown. She twirled around inside, drinking in the beauty and grandeur of the Opera House. Sirius grabbed her from behind and began twirling her around on the dance floor. She laughed and let him hold her close. They pulled away from the crowd while he got them glasses of wine. She fiddled with her engagement ring, worn on a chain around her neck. Sirius came back and handed her a glass. "I can't believe we're engaged. Even if it is a secret," she said.
"But why? Engagements are something to be happy about, not afraid of," Sirius said.
"I'm not afraid," Kristin said, suddenly defensive.
Sirius sighed. "Then why can't we tell anyone?" he asked.
Kristin grabbed his arms. "Please," she pleaded. "Please, let's not fight. Just…just play along. You'll understand later."
"Alright," Sirius replied, holding her close. "Alright."
"Thank you," she whispered. She straightened up and placed her mask on, mood suddenly brightened. "I'm going back out and continue dancing. You coming?"
"No, go ahead. I want to talk to Dumbledore and Lupin first," he said, kissing her forehead. He walked over as Kristin returned to the dance floor.
Kristin enjoyed being twirled around, until nearly all her dance partners started to look like the Phantom. She was twirled from one Phantom to the next, each one looking more and more demented than the next. Each one forcing the memories of her tortured angel to the surface of her mind. She tried to close her eyes but found she couldn't stop, even as the background became a mixed blur. Eventually, Sirius came to rescue her. He grew concerned watching her get twirled around the dance floor by all those phantom impersonators. She breathed a sigh of relief and leaned into Sirius' comforting embrace.
The masquerade continued as everyone grew rather drunk and merry. However, a loud crash startled the party as a flash of red smoke clouded the grand staircase. Everyone looked up as the smoke died down to see a tall man dressed in a fully red outfit and a skull like face. "It's the Masque of Red Death, like that horror story," someone muttered. Kristin, however, recognized his immediately and clutched Sirius tighter. The Red Death slowly walked down the stairs and specifically addressed the managers.
"Fondest greetings to you all," he said, still pointedly looking at Dumbledore and Lupin. "I'm sure you thought me gone? Dead? No, sirs, I am quite alive. And I've brought you your newest opera—Don Juan Triumphant. I have left some instructions to make sure this opera is done to my perfection. Follow them or you will find that the chandelier isn't the only disaster I can mastermind."
The people remained frozen in their spots as the Phantom handed the libretto to Dumbledore. He walked back through them, waiting for someone to try anything. He was ready. Then Severus spotted Kristin, leaning against Sirius, fear in her eyes. He wanted to rush her but kept his cool. He needed to so that his plan would work and that fear would be replaced with love and admiration. He slowly walked over to her which drew her closer. They met and the look in her eyes had changed. It was the same blind devotion she used to have, before that count came into their lives. She smiled but he was drawn to her neck. There sat a beautiful and expensive diamond on a silver band. He then remembered the secret engagement and angrily pulled off her necklace. It broke his trance over her, but at that point, all he could snarl was, "The only chains you wear are mine. I haven't released you." With that, he disappeared as Sirius finally reached Kristin and pulled her away.
A/N: Those who read ELIII know that I'm back from one…interesting…vacation. Let's just say I don't do well in heat and in cars. But here you go, a new chapter for Phantom of the Dungeons! So, thanks to my reviewers:
SarahtheBardess: Well, we can't use actual lyrics (grumbles under breath) or else I might've used the actual song since it is a really good love ballad. The chandelier thing is that Erik realizes he's losing Christine and since he's only know fear his entire life, he's trying to scare her back to him…if that makes any sense. Yeah, that's Severus through and through.
cerzee: I will be throwing something from the book when McGonagall tells Sirius Severus' story next chapter, so look out. I'm glad the story is growing on you. I hate the real ending too, but I'm looking forward to writing the epilogue where everything turns out okay for Severus.