This is going quite well, I must admit. This fanfic is moving along a lot faster than my usual ones. Oh well, at least this one is going good!

I would like to point out that Kori is going to keep the nickname "Little Lotte" from the musical/movie, because in the real thing, "Lotte" is in no way relative to the name "Christine". So, in this story, since it is also in no way relative to the name "Kori", and as seeing as I cannot find any other nickname to use, I will use the original. Besides, "Little Lotte" is mentioned in several songs, so it's not like I could just drop the nickname altogether.

Okay now, onto reviews…

XxtearsxofxbloodxandxhatexX-man, your name is looong! I haven't realized it until now. Anyways, really glad you like the story, and you are SO NICE…I await reviews like yours because they make me extra happy!

EmeraldShine-thank you! I was hoping no one would have any problems with the cast, and I'm so happy you enjoyed it!

AnotherFreakishFan-yes, it is a bit extravagant, but I did consider 20. Remember, I had thought of that one, but I thought it was too small, so I made it 200. Don't worry, I don't mind criticism too much, as long as it isn't a downright flame. And no, I will not kill you…

TitansFan-I like "Think of Me" too. It's just so darn CATCHY! But, yes, I had the idea of having World History as the last subject because that's what I had last semester at 7th hour…so that's a freaky coincidence. Although I am a freshman, it is still ironic…

Rose-no criticism from you…YAY!

Robin and Star Fan-thank you! I hope you like this chapter as much as the others!

Robin+Starfire-yes, the ending is sad…I cry every time I hear it…hope you like this chapter!

Laurashrub-glad you liked it, and, you know what? I took your advice and fixed that little nitpick from the 2nd chapter! It really helped, and thanks!

Reggaeshiko-tama-thanks, and I hope you get to read the rest. I will try to read your fic pretty soon.

Jaina 12-thank you, I'm so glad you liked the cast!

Thanks again to all who reviewed! If I missed anybody, don't be mad, I'll try to get you in the next chapter! Now onto the story…

Countless cheers were thrown onto the immensely decorated stage where the red-haired girl stood. She smiled brightly as a few flowers were tossed.

After the show, all of Kori's ballerina friends gushed around her, toppling her over with compliments,

"Kori, you were great!"

"You were awesome!"

"Hey, great job!"

Kori edged slowly away from the crowd of ballerinas, walking to the other side of the stage. Raven walked in front of her and greeted her as warmly as it was possible for her to.

"Yes, you did well. He will be very pleased," she then turned to the ballerinas, "You, however, need to work on your footing…" she walked over to help them, "You guys need more practice."

Kori moved on unnoticed, making her way to her dressing room. Henry stopped her. Kori looked at him, not expecting him to say anything,

"Miss Anders…you…well…you did good, kid."

She smiled. Approval from this thespian was like winning the Grammys, it just didn't happen that often.

"Thank you." She said, and continued to walk to her room. She walked down the winding stairways that led to her dressing room. Unbeknownst to her, Jinny followed her far behind, trying to tell Kori "congratulations" like everyone else. Kori didn't notice. As Kori was about to open her door, she heard a haunting voice call out to her from nowhere,

"Bravi, bravi, bravissimi…"

Kori gasped, bewildered by the voice. She listened closely to see if she could hear something else…

"Kori!"

Jinny said brightly as she put a hand on her shoulder. Kori turned quickly and jumped, startled by her friend's sudden appearance. She suddenly felt a gust of relief, grateful she was not alone…

"Where in the world have you been hiding?
Really you were perfect!
I only wish I knew your secret,
Who is this new tutor?"

Kori, almost dazed, slowly opened the door of the dressing room and walked in. Once inside, she turned to the pink-haired girl,

"Father once spoke of an Angel,
I used to dream he'd appear.
Now as I sing I can sense him,
And I know he's here.
Here in this room he calls me softly,
Somewhere inside, hiding.
Somehow I know he's always with me,
He, the unseen genius."

Jinny looked at her friend with an odd look on her pale face. She lead Kori outside of the dressing room, leading her back up towards the backstage.

"Kori, you must have been dreaming,
Stories like this can't come true.
Kori, you're talking in riddles,
And it's not like you."

Ignoring her friend, Kori still kept her trance.

"Angel of Music,
Guide and guardian.
Grant to me your glory."

Jinny took Kori's arm and continued to lead her, now more interested in what she meant, for she had no idea what she was talking about.

"Who is this angel?
This…"

"Angel of Music,
Hide no longer
Secret and strange Angel."

Kori stopped walking. She stared blankly into space, like she couldn't control herself.

"He's with me even now…"

Jinny grew more concerned with every word Kori said; she was beginning to scare her.

"Your hands are cold…"

"…All around me…"

"Your face, Kori, it's white…"

Kori didn't move. A look of terror now played mercilessly across her tan face. Her hands began to shake uncontrollably.

"…It frightens me…"

"Don't be frightened."

Jinny began to feel uneasy, "Kori, are you feeling alright? You might be sick or something." Kori's eyes began to zone out blankly.

"Kori?"

"JINNY!" both girls snapped out of their thoughts at Raven's yell, "Are you a dancer or are you not? Get over here and practice!" Before Kori could leave, Raven walked over to her and handed her a letter.

"I was asked to give you this," the dark girl replied to Kori's blank stares. The girl opened the parchment gingerly and read it:

"A red scarf…the attic…Little Lottie…"

Kori then returned to her dressing room promptly. She sat down, her back towards the giant mirror on her wall. She turned around, looking at her ghastly reflection. She shivered, not sure why. Kori then diverted her attention back to the letter.

Meanwhile, Gar, Victor, and Richard were walking down the corridors of the auditorium discussing the night's qualities.

"This was the best show ever!" Victor said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, and not one refund!" Gar added in.

"Greedy…" Victor mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing…ANYWAYS…Richard, I think we've found some real talent in miss Anders."

"Yes, she was really good." Richard said.

"Well, here's her room." Gar said to Richard, pointing to the door.

"Do you think she'll remember you?" Victor asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"I don't know,"

"I think she will." Gar said with a smile creeping up his face.

"You can never be sure, it was so long ago…"

"Just go in there man!" Victor said, almost shoving Richard into the door. Richard looked suspiciously at the two boys behind him.

"What…huh? Oh, don't mind us." Gar smiled. Richard looked back with a smile of his own,

"I would prefer to have this conversation alone."

"What? Aloooone? Well, why would you want to…"

Richard prepared to push them out of the hallway before the pranksters were on their way in the opposite direction, with Gar mumbling, "Party pooper…"

Richard regained his composure quickly and knocked on Kori's dressing room door. He opened it and poked his head inside the room.

"Kori Anders, where is your scarf?"

"My what?"

"Don't tell me you lost it…after all the trouble I took. I was only ten years old and soaked to the skin…"

Kori's face immediately brightened at his old jokes once again,

"…Because you just had to run into the sea to get my scarf. So it really is you, after all these years," she jumped up and gave him a huge hug. She then sat back down at her desk, when she heard him speak again,

"Little Lotte, let her mind wander…"

She turned, surprised.

"You remember that, too…"

"Little Lotte thought: 'Am I fonder of dolls…"

"Or of goblins or shoes...
Or of riddles or frocks…"

Richard laughed at this,

"Or of chocolates?"

"Father playing the violin…"

"…As we read to eachother dark stories of the North…"

Kori smiled and looked at her childhood sweetheart,

"No-what I love best,
Lotte said,
Was when I'm asleep in my bed.
And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head…"

Richard smiled; he remembered it too.

"…The Angel of Music sings in my head."

The teenage boy looked lovingly at his long lost friend. Kori turned in her chair to face his direction and said to him gently,

"Father told me, 'When I am in heaven, child, I will send the Angel of Music to you.' Well, my father has died, and I really have been visited by an angel."

"I can tell…you sounded amazing! Let's get some dinner, come on, I'll pay."

"No, Richard, I can't. The Angel of Music is very strict."

"It won't be long, just a run over to that new fast food place…"

"No, Richard," she tried to object, but she couldn't persuade him. She really wanted to go, but she knew what the Angel wanted, and he wanted her to stay put.

"Come on, it'll just take a minute. You can get changed while I get my coat. I'll be back in a few minutes. Until then-Little Lotte." And with that, he closed her door.

"Wait, Richard! I can't go!" She drooped her eyes to the floor. He wasn't listening. She knew that their relationship of old would live on, and that Richard would stop at nothing to keep it that way. Kori sighed. He always had a way with words, and he hadn't lost his persuasive touch.

But this was a sigh of sadness. She knew she would not be able to leave with him, not even for dinner. She walked slowly to her dresser and picked up her hand mirror. She looked at her face, sighed again, and said sadly,

"…Things have changed, Richard."

She then heard a loud, booming voice come from behind her giant mirror. She dropped her hand mirror in a quick movement of impulse. The small trinket hit the ground, but did not break. She stared at it, but the voice startled her,

"Insolent boy!
This slave of fashion,
Basking in your glory.
Ignorant fool,
This brave young suitor,
Sharing in my triumph!"

Kori stood, spellbound by the voice. Her face lost its usual glow. It was now pale with fear and manipulation. In a trance-like state, she replied to the ghost,

"Angel, I hear you speak,
I listen.
Stay by my side,
Guide me.
Angel, my soul was weak,
Forgive me,
Enter at last, master."

"Flattering child you shall know me,
See why in shadow I hide.
Look at your face in the mirror,
I am there, inside!"

There, in her trance, she saw him. His now tangible body enveloped in what looked like the inside of the mirror. As if appearing out of thin air, the Phantom stood like a ghostly vision in front of the girl. Each note he sang, she became more and more succumbed to him, her eyes fixed on the man.

"Angel of Music,
Guide and guardian.
Grant to me your glory.
Angel of Music,
Hide no longer.
Come to me strange Angel…"

The Phantom moved his finger in a moving motion as if to draw her to him. He began to slink out of the mirror, his hand outstretched to Kori,

"I am your Angel…
Come to me, Angel of Music…
I am your Angel of Music…
Come to me, Angel of Music…"

Kori began to walk slowly towards him, her eyes wide but relaxed and fixed on the mirror. She inched closer and closer to the masked man.

Richard walked down the hall and came to her door. He called in for her,

"Kori, come on, we're going to be late! Are you ready to go?" He then heard the Phantom's voice echo in her room. He panicked, and dodged for the door. It was locked. He banged on the door,

"Who is that voice?
Who is that in there…?"

No reply. All he heard was the vast echo that was getting louder.

"I am your Angel of Music…
Come to me, Angel of Music…"

Kori continued to walk towards the Phantom. He then grasped her hand gently and pulled her through the shimmering glass, her dress trailing behind as she stepped lightly through. With another step she disappeared.

At the very moment, the dressing room door suddenly swung open, making Richard fall in and topple to the floor. He stood up in a flash and whirled his head around, to find the room empty.

"Kori? KORI!"

Okay, you have to admit, it WAS longer! Please review!