Title: The Point Of All Emotions
Author: ThePhantomsRedRose
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the Phantom of the Opera.
Summary: AU, 7thYear. The war looms in everyone's thoughts. To take their mind away they begin work on a Musical. Strong partnerships are established, but are they strong enough to win the war?
Authors Note: Thank you for all of the generous reviews for the last two chapters as well as to the new readers who have dropped reviews for each chapter! Now on to act two! PS Ernie Macmillan has left Hogwarts at this point. His parents pulled him out in the middle of the school year, leaving Leo as Head Boy (If you were wondering.)

Hermione quickly flocked to her dressing room for intermission. She was greeted with cheers of the cast. However, she walked past them in a daze until closing her dressing room door. Hermione shed the Countess dress and began to run a moist cloth over her sweat-streaked body. The stress of the pending war and the lights was making her feel week. She placed a cooling spell on her Pink dress for the beginning of Act II. Make up was being removed from her face, being reapplied darker than before. The lights began to flicker backstage, alerting her that Intermission was over.

She waited and then she heard Harry and Ron start in on Masquerade. Soon she went on stage to join in the party. She and Leo danced around the stage merrily. She began to change partners for men in masks, each one looking more like the Phantom, until Leo took her back.

In all of the activity, a figure began to descend the staircase. The figure was an undistinguishable Severus. He was clad in an outfit similar to the one he wore to the Holiday Ball. It was a noble, red attire with a matching plumed hat. If Hermione had not known that Severus had makeup on, she would have thought an Inferi walked among them. His face was a yellowed skull. Around his eyes were black circles. He held a sward out at arms length.

He began the revengeful tune of "Why So Silent?" His sword graced each principal opera member as he threatened him or her with out mercy. He threw an opera score to the ground, announcing that this was his new opera to be performed. He got to Hermione and snatched an engagement ring from Raoul off her neck, breaking the gold chain. He disappeared from the stage in a cloud of flames. Leo was found discussing The Phantom's past with McGonagall.

Another notes sequence took place, leading right into rehearsals for The Phantom's opera "Don Juan Triumphant." Leo pleaded with Hermione to help them catch the phantom. Hermione's character could not do it. Hermione could identify with this. In another hour, her lover would be hunted out and she couldn't stand it.

Christine: Twisted every way, what answer can I give? Am I to risk my life to win the chance to live? (Hermione looked at Ron and Harry, knowing that all of them would be risking their lives that night) Can I betray the man, who once inspired my voice? Do I become his prey? Do I have any choice? (Her face darkened, picturing Voldemort in the next few lines) He kills without a thought, he murders all that's good… I know I can't refuse, and yet, I wish I could (she thought nobody would wish war upon themselves) Oh god- if I agree, what horrors wait for me in this the Phantom's opera…?

Leo: Christine, Christine, don't think that I don't care- but every hope and every prayer rests on you now…(Hermione began to cry from the pressure of the stage, but she was still in character)

More rehearsals for Don Juan were under way. The stage changes and in a trance Hermione moved upstage slowly. Distant sounds of bells were heard. Christine began to sing of the loss of her father. Hermione was trying not to think of what would happen to her father if they lost this war. Severus as the Phantom joined her signing until Leo entered stage as Raoul. Severus began casting spells out of his staff. Leo dodged each one. Hermione and Leo left causing Snape to go center stage and disappear into flames that engulfed the stage. While the flames where growing the set for Don Juan was rising from the ground. Police officers could be heard talking with Raoul and all of a sudden the fire all rushed back to one pit and the show started.

Hermione sang like an angel waiting for Severus to emerge after his character had killed Piangi. When he finally did, they started the tasking duet of The Point of No Return.

Phantom (as Don Juan): You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge, in pursuit of that wish, which till now has been silent, silent… I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge- in your mind you've already succumbed to me dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me- now you are here with me: no second thoughts, you decided, decided… Past the point of no return- no backward glances: the games we've played till now are at an end… past all thought of 'if' or 'when'- no use resisting: abandon thought and let the dream descend. (He walked to Hermione caressing her arm and began to walk away from her to the audience left side of the stage up the winding staircase) What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us? Past the point of no return, the final threshold- what warm, unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return.

Christine (As Aminta): You have brought me to that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence. I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why… In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining defenseless and silent- and now I am here with you: no second thoughts, I've decided, decided. (She began to climb the opposite staircase) Past the point of no return- no going back now: our passion-play has now, at last, begun… Past all thought of right or wrong- one final question: how long should we two wait, before we're one? When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames, at last, consume us?

Both: (walking towards each other) Past the point of no return, the final threshold- the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn… We've passed the point of no return.

Severus began to sing the same song Leo had sung earlier while crying. Hermione ripped his mask from his face before the final word. He swirled his cloak around her and jumped into the fire with her. The stage curtain rose again to show the chaos of backstage. It closed again quickly.

When it reopened Hermione and Severus was in the lair. Hermione was in a wedding dress. Hermione as Christine seethed at the Phantom for betraying her trust. The Phantom explained how he turned out the way he did. They were joined soon by Leo and a trio was sung while Severus proceeded to hang Leo upon an iron grate. Severus had no problem doing this, he considered it pay back for the passionate kiss Leo had shared with Hermione earlier.

Christine offered her love to the Phantom in exchange for Raoul's life. Hermione came closer to Severus and braced herself for what could be the last kiss of their lives. The kiss was long and passionate, Severus gripped her and had a hard time letting her go. When he did, he let Raoul go also. Christine was finally free, but first she gave the phantom back the ring he had given her earlier. Hermione found him listening to the monkey music box. He sang a last line of love to her. When Hermione left, Severus could here the reprise of Hermione and Leo's song. He knew now was the time, You alone, could make my song take flight- it's over now the music of the night… He sat upon the chair, leaving behind only his mask to be found by Meg later on.

The audience roared, minor characters were called first then Leo, Hermione, and Severus were called out last. Hermione was pelted with roses.