Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom…and sadly never will

Hello Again, WOW it's been such a long time since I've updated, I'm sorry! I am seriously going to die from my busy schedule, and I apologize for this short chapter. Thanks for the patience and reviews, and enjoy this chapter-QKeys

Chapter 8-Christine

Lefevre briskly walked up the stairs to his chamber, a deep frown shadowing his face. What is wrong with me, he thought to himself. I've gotten many little jokes like these, all harmful pranks with no meaning. But for some reason, this time felt different; dangerous. He was getting worried, but for what?

Lefevre shook his head as if clearing out thoughts. Get a Grip on your self, man! He thought to himself, and started laughing at how foolish he was being. Still chuckling, the manager went to sleep with thoughts of profits on his mind.

8 years later

Meg squirmed uncomfortably as her mother desperately tried to brush the knots out of her thick, blond hair.

"Meg! You must stop squirming! We are about to be late!" Charlotte scolded gently as she lightly slapped Meg on her behind. Meg yelped as Charlotte attempted to brush out a huge clump of tangled hair, and escaped her mothers grasp. Meg quickly bounded away, a triumphant smile on her pretty face.

Charlotte sighed and set down the strained brush, frustrated but extremely happy. Meg was nearly eight, and her energetic jumpiness was slowly wearing her mother out. Charlotte was now a prim and proper woman, stern but at the same time extremely gentle. She was very serious about dancing, and was now the best instructor in the city. But she adored Meg, who was a lovely little girl, and Charlotte loved her more than anything in the whole world. The one thing Charlotte was truly sorry about was that Meg didn't have a sibling, and oddly enough did not have many friends, because of her quiet and shy personality. And since Meg was moving into the opera house dormitories now, instead of staying with herself in their own room, Charlotte was extremely sorry that Meg didn't have a brother or sister to play with and to look after each other. But just recently, a sad event had just occurred. The famous musician Daae, a trusted friend and musician to the Opera Populaire, had sadly passed away, leaving his daughter, Christine, alone. Charlotte was glad to take her into care and raise her like Christine was her own , but she could only imagine how miserable the poor thing must be. Charlotte sighed, she herself was quite upset about the death, but secretly a bit hopeful that Meg and Christine might friends, and Meg wouldn't be so lonely.

Suddenly, Meg jumped out from behind a trunk where she was hiding, covered in a white sheet. "Woooooooo woooooo I'm a ghooooooost" Meg shouted, giggling. "Watch out for the Ghost, Mama!"

Charlotte froze for a second, and then quickly recovered from her shock. She sadly shook her head to herself in disgust, even the mention of a ghost made her freeze. Luckily, it had been years since she had last seen or heard from Eric, the "Opera Ghost". Charlotte shivered; even the thought of Eric gave her chills. Although she had not seen him since he had given her that letter, she had heard many rumors of a "Phantom Figure" lurking around the theatre. She hoped they were just rumors though, for she could not forget Eric's cruel threats, and had experienced many sleepless nights thinking about what she had done wrong. Charlotte felt a small tear leak out from her eye, and she quickly brushed it away before Meg would see. What had she done wrong? Charlotte tried as hard as she could not to cry, but could not deny the many raindrops sliding down her cheeks. Immediately, Charlotte became angry at herself. It's been years and years, she thought angrily. And I still can't get over it?

"Mama? Mama?" Meg quickly dropped the sheet and ran over to her crying mother. "Mama it's just me! It's not really a ghost! I was only joking mama! Mama I'm sorry!" Charlotte almost started to laugh at her darling daughter's confusion. Charlotte quickly wiped her eyes, smearing the wetness along her cheeks.

"I'm fine, darling, just had something in my eye." Charlotte explained, and tried her best to smile at her young daughter. Seeing her mother smile, Meg's frown of confusion immediately turned into a big smile, but still sensing something was wrong, ran over to the table and grabbed the brush.

"Quickly mama," Meg giggled. "why did you stop brushing my hair?" charlotte gave her daughter a sarcastic glare then took the brush once more from Meg's hands and tried once more to comb through the mess of gorgeous, sunshine colored hair. "Once we finish cleaning your messy self," Charlotte said, "It's off to dance rehearsal for you, and afterward you will meet Christine."

Meg turned with a curious expression to her mother. "Mama," she said. "Will this Christine be my...my friend? Charlotte smiled at her daughter and gently smoothed down her dance petticoat.

"Of course she will, darling. In fact, I'm almost positive you will be as close as sisters."

Charlotte stood tall and strait at the corner, waiting for the arrival of Christine. The sounds of horses trotting and venders selling were all around her, and charlotte closed her eyes as the wind blew around her face, the delicious scents of the street all around her. Her eyes snapped open as the sounds of a carriage came very close, and Charlotte tried her best to smile warmly as the carriage came to a stop in front of her. The door swung open, and a small girl slowly walked out, a hood draped over face. The moment the girl stepped out the carriage sped away, as fast as it had arrived. The girl started walking slowly toward Charlotte, almost as if she was a spirit, and finally lifted her hood. Charlotte gasped at the sight of Christine; she was a mirror image of her mother. Christine had huge, brown eyes that looked glazed from crying so much, beautiful cream colored skin, perfectly shaped pink lips, and thick, mocha colored locks that curled beautifully around her porcelain face. Her face was the most miserable face Charlotte had ever seen on a little girl, there was no life in her eyes, or laughter on her lips like little girls should have at her age.

Charlotte caught her breath, and smiled. "Christine," Charlotte whispered. "I am so happy to see you, my dear."

Christine's eyes looked up from the ground and Charlotte marveled at her innocent eyes.

"Are you my new mother now, Madame?" Christine whispered questionably.

"You are to be raised in the Opera Populaire, but yes, I will look after you," Charlotte said slowly. There was a stretch of silence, and Charlotte took this opportunity to introduce herself.

"My name is Charlotte Giry, I am not sure if you remember me or not, But I was good friends with your mother." Christine shook her head, so Charlotte continued, "My dear, I am so sorry for your loss, and I do hope you will be happy here. You will take dancing and singing lessons with my daughter, Meg, who is your own age, and many other girls."

Christine's eyes lit up when she heard this, for her passion was to sing.

"Will I become a star, someday, Madame?" Christine's small voice asked.

Charlotte knelt down and smoothed Christine's curls out of her face.

"You never know, my dear. You never know."