Disclaimer: Once again! I do not own the Phantom of the Opera or anything that goes with it.

Hey guys! Thanks once again for the reviews. In my last chapter I made the mistake of sometimes calling Charlotte the name of Christine. (Oops!) Any way, I am sorry about that, and I promise I'll watch for mistakes more carefully! Thanks so much and please keep up the reviews!-QKeys

Chapter 4-Gradually Turning

Erik was in heaven. He had never felt happier in his entire life! Someone loves me he thought to himself. Someone loves me! Smiling like a fool, Erik danced around looking at all the amazing props and costumes. He laughed as he tried on a costume a clown might wear, and sighed as he touched the amazing artwork put into the miniature play sets. Just as he was about to try on a bunch of the goofy looking masks lying around, Erik saw something that made his blood turn hot, then quickly cold. What he saw made his stomach drop, so he felt like the wind was knocked out of him. What he saw was the most horrifying thing he had ever seen. What Erik saw was his reflection. Erik gasped, touching his face. He started sobbing.

"I am the devil's child." He sobbed. "I am."

Three years later-

The chilling sound of an organ playing filled the catacombs as Charlotte made her way to shore. She stared around the dungeons. It had been three years. Three long years since Charlotte had rescued Erik from that horrible circus. Charlotte had done her best to make the boy feel at home, she had been giving Erik organ lessons, and so far he was getting quite good. But what can you do when a boy lives in cellars under an opera house? Charlotte sighed as she tied the small boat up.

"Erik!" Charlotte called out. "Are you ready for your dinner?"

Surprised, the boy quickly turned from his beautiful instrument.

"Charlotte! I have a new song! Will you give me a lesson?" Erik jumped of the organ bench excitedly, running toward his friend.

"Oh all right. But supper first." Charlotte started to lift the leftovers she had snuck out of the kitchen from her basket. Obediently Erik ran down to where Charlotte was laying out the food, his mask almost slipping off his head, and then made a face.

"Charlotte! Chicken again! Blech!" Erik made another face, lifting up a skin with the tips of his tiny fingers.

"Erik!" Charlotte scolded. "Watch that mouth!" This is the only thing I could sneak away." She pulled out a napkin as Erik carefully lifted up his mask so his mouth was visible, and then scarfed down the chicken.

"I'm sorry Charlotte. Thank you for my dinner. Now can I show you my song?" Erik asked impatiently, already scampering back to his organ.

"Oh all right." Charlotte sighed. "Let's hear it quickly though, I have to be in bed soon." She followed Erik to the organ, and then sat down, while Erik slid onto the bench.

"Well," Erik said nervously, fumbling with his music sheets. "It's not perfect. But I'm working on it." Charlotte nodded approvingly, and Erik put his hands on the keys. He swallowed, took a deep breath, and began to play.

Sounds of every emotion possible filled the dungeons with all its glory. Chills swept though Charlotte like the wind. Charlotte closed her eyes, letting the magic of Eric's playing soar through her. The sound of Eric was not some little boy messing around on a beautiful instrument. It was the sound of a genius, almost some unworldly figure pouring out his emotions in music. Charlotte listened, breathing in the sounds of hate, love, fear, and unsure ness. It was as if Erik wasn't even playing, just talking to her. No more was she in a dungeon, sitting on a cold stone ground. Charlotte was in the music, it was swirling through every inch of her. It was pure magic. And just like that, it was over. Silence spread through Charlotte like dread, the echo of the organ slowly fading. She slowly opened her eyes. As she opened them, she saw Erik, sobbing, hunched over his organ, tears sliding down his face to the keys. For a moment, she just sat there, letting him cry. Strangely, Charlotte understood why he was upset as clear as day. Erik wasn't just playing an organ; he was explaining his life to her. He was telling Charlotte the story of his life. Slowly, Charlotte walked up to the boy.

"Erik…" Charlotte whispered. She laid a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's alright. I'm here. Everything is going to be alright."

"Why Charlotte?" Erik whispered as he raised his head to look at her. "Why?" Suddenly, anger exploded through the Erik in a gigantic force. He stood up quickly, knocking over a candle stand.

"Why do I have this face? Why? What have I done to deserve this face?" Erik screamed, knocking over props as he did.

"Look at me!" He yelled, ripping the mask off his face. "Look Charlotte! I'm hideous! I'm a devil! I'm a monster!" He fell to his knees, sobbing. "I have never been loved. Ever." He slid his hands over his deranged face, shaking.

"Erik…" Charlotte bent down and hugged the shivering boy. "Shhhhhhh…" she soothed, taking his hand in hers. "I love you and always will love you. Don't forget that." Erik raised his head to look at Charlotte, his twisted nose running.

"But…" He started to speak but Charlotte stopped him. "Shhhhhhh" She murmured.

"You are no monster, or devil. No matter what anybody says to you about your face, they do now know who you are. They do not know the real Erik, the one that is a gift from heaven. Things will be hard for you Erik, but you can show them who you really are. I know you can." She hugged him even for tightly, just holding him there until his sobs slowly went down to a whimper.

"I love you Charlotte, Erik whispered, his eyes closed, suddenly exhausted from crying.

"I love you too, Erik." Seeing that Erik was sleepy, she started singing to him her lullaby, the same thing she sang to him every night.

"Angel of music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory…" Charlotte continued singing to him in her sweet voice, until she knew that her Erik was asleep. Charlotte slowly got up, pressing the sleeping boy to her, and slowly walked over to his bed, an old prop, careful not to wake him. She slowly lowered Erik onto the velvet cushions, tucking a blanket around his small body. She gently kissed him on his deformed forehead. She pulled on the ropes, and the see through drapes slowly sank down so she could just see Erik's face though the cloth.

"Goodnight my little angel of music."