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Chapter Text

Y/n - your name
H/c - hair color
E/c - eye color
N/n - nick name ‘Words’ - thoughts
- pov - a change in point of view

- Readers pov -

Your eyes trailed that of the streets of Paris watching as you saw people walk about their day from the carriage

Taking in the beauty Paris could offer you merely soaked it in, riding a carriage with the man you loved so dearly

Seeing a young teenage couple giggle as you rode past them made you wonder

How is it living as someone who wasn’t yourself

How do people lead completely different lives than you

How interesting lives can get in a heartbeat

You continue to watch as you begin to see more lavish buildings pop up, ‘the opera house must be close’ your face perks up

You are excited since you will finally be able to visit the famed haunted opera populaire

Its fame is no stranger to those who pay attention to the arts, so hearing of a ghost has interested you

And goodness, how lucky you are for your beloved Raoul to invite you to visit the opera!

Raoul was offered to visit the opera alongside the new owners Monsieur Gilles André and Monsieur Richard Firmin since he is their new patron

Because of this he asked you to come along for he knew your fondness for operas especially this one

‘how generous Raoul is for being a patron to them, and that he had immediately thought of me’ you thought to yourself with a smile as your cheeks turned into a tint of pink

How you longed to someday perform in the operas stage yourself

Your love for singing and performing hasn’t withered even in the slightest as time slowly ate away at you

You hope to one day have Raoul look at you lovingly as you perform a song just for him

Your love for singing isn’t the only thing that hasn’t withered away in the course of over a decade

Seeing more buildings and people walking about made you want to get out and walk around as well

You were beginning to grow impatient as this carriage was confining you and depriving you of the mysteries the opera house could offer

Your constant moving in your seat was interrupted by Raoul clearing his throat

Whipping your head away from the streets your eyes met Raouls

Raoul asks “Are you excited?” he lovingly put a hand on yours to reassure you that this ride would be over soon

He knows how impatient you are

With the widest smile on your face you respond “yes! Oh Raoul you already know how much I’ve been looking forward to this!” Turning your whole body to face him

Raoul laughs as he takes away his hand leaving where it was cold and empty

“yes I am well aware, you’ve always wanted to visit this opera house so why deny my dearest friend when the opportunity is right in front of her”

You stare at your hand wishing he had left it for just a while longer

Raoul looked confused as you didnt respond “hello? Is y/n in there? May I speak to her?”

Realizing you had just been lost in thought you snap back into reality “oh yes! I’m sorry Raoul i heard what you said, I thank you very much for this!” you placed the hand that had his underneath the other

“Well don’t go looking in random directions without thinking okay?” Raoul said with a slight hint of mockery in his voice

You swat at his arm “oh hush! Leave me be! What I do with my time is none of your concern” fake annoyance had hinted your voice

Raoul laughs slightly snorting and leaning toward you saying “calm yourself n/n, we are practically there, wouldn’t want to let our hosts and beloved performers thinking ill of us as we barely arrive now do we?”

You nod in agreement as the carriage comes to a stop

“OH MY GOD-“ you slapped your mouth realizing how loud you just were “I mean oh my goodness we’re here!”

Raoul made a playful face as Raoul hopped out of the carriage opening the small door

As he was holding the door open he held out his hand to help you exit the carriage

“Mademoiselle l/n welcome to the Opera Populaire!”

You take his hand and carefully hold your dress up as to trip over it as you walk down the step

When you reach the ground you straighten your dress, fix your hat, and check your h/c hair as to remain as elegant looking as possible

You look up at the beautiful opera smiling for the memories you can create here shall resonate with you from now until the end of time

Raoul holds out his arm and you take which you happily did

Raoul turned to man nearby and said “good sir take care of our luggage and place it into our rooms for we shall later need our rest” handing the good man 50 francs

You noticed three men walking in your direction

Raoul then takes notice and says “ah! The new owners and previous owner of the opera house, how kind of you gentlemen to greet us”

“The pleasure is all ours vicompte, and who is this beauty?” One of the men who you recognized as the previous owner Monsieur Lefevre

He grabbed your free hand and kissed it as you said “I am miss l/n, I am rather fond of this opera, I am an opera singer myself you see”

As he rose his face was filled with shock “just a moment miss, are you THE miss l/n?”

“Who is she?” One of the men behind Lefevre asked

“Monsieur Firmin she is a well known opera singer!” Lefevre said raising his tone slightly

“My, come to be the new Prima Donna?” The other man said chuckling

“Not at all sir, but it would be an honor to perform on this stage someday” your face had a smile which could captivate any man

“Please Mademoiselle call me André” the man said

Feeling slightly uncomfortable you clutched even more onto Raouls arm

All them took notice of this

“Is she your fiancé vicompte? Such a Beauty by your side it would be a shame if she wasn’t!” The man who you now knew as Firmin said almost as if he was interrogating Raoul

Raoul chuckles “no, she is a beauty yes, but she is strictly my friend”

This stung a bit since you had loved Raoul since you were children

You were used to him making these comments

But you could never conceal your face slightly showing that his words did hurt

You saw André looking at you making you flustered because he just saw how much those words affected you

“Well let us not wait any longer! Let us show you our opera!” Monsieur Firmin said as he motioned to finally pass through the doors of the opera

“Mademoiselle l/n would you ever consider singing in the opera populaire?” Lefevre asked

“I do not know, but if the new owners ask that of me I certainly wouldn’t oppose” confidence stained your voice

‘Maybe that was a little too bold’

Firmin grumbled as he and André opened the doors for you all

‘I have to watch out for Firmin, however André is more open’

“My! The opera is even more wonderful inside!” your eyes glimmering taking in its beauty

“Mademoiselle l/n has excellent taste wouldn’t you agree? André?” Firmin asked his companion

“Of course she does, a beauty such as herself would certainly have excellent taste” André said with a plain smile

“Let us go through the back then shall we?” Lefevre asked

As you began walking through the back areas of the opera you couldn’t help but notice the beauty and the uniqueness

‘I wonder who I’ll meet!’

“Wow this us nothing like the opera I once worked at! Theres so much more personality!” you said admiring all the ballet girls, performers, as well as the actors and actresses

You noticed them painting and the fact they were drying clothes upon the railing above

Thats when you noticed a rather vile looking man smirking at you and winking

You felt Raoul tug you closer as the man winked giving you a sense of protection assuring you that not a soul was to harm you

As you continued walking you heard Raoul talk to the men but you were not paying attention to the conversation due to you admiring the beauty this opera offered

You then are halted at the base of the stage “wait here with the vicompte miss we shall give you a proper introduction” Firmin and André said with excitement

Monsieurs Firmin, André, and lefevre all walk toward the front of the stage confidence in their strides as André and Firmin puffed out their chest making you chuckle a little

“everyone! Please, If I can have your attention! Thank you, As you all know there have been some rumors of our imminent retirement I can now tell you that these were all true” lefevre said aloud to everyone in the opera house

“it is my pleasure to Introduce to you the two gentlemen who now own the opera populaire, Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Giles Andre” all the performers politely clapped as to make the men feel welcomed

Lefevre then changed his tone slightly almost as if he was trying to mock Firmin and André “im sure you’ve read of their recent fortune amassed in the junk business”

André interrupted with annoyance on his face “scrap metal. Actually”

As you laughed Raoul couldn’t help but chuckle along with you

Thats when you heard some girl whisper “they must be rich” directing the comment toward monsieur firmin and André

You and Raoul tried your hardest to not burst out loudly laughing but you were both shaking from the held in laughter

“Raoul we have to compose ourselves!” You whispered to him as you kept shaking

“Stop laughing then!” Raoul choked back as he also was shaking

As you both began to compose yourselves you heard whispers among the stage crew “my the vicomtesse is rather beautiful!” ‘do they think we are married? Imagine, vicomtess de chagny!’ You turned red

Your small episode was interrupted hearing firmin say “and we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron! The vicomte de chagny! And his friend miss l/n!” More claps followed as well as even more whispers

Probably people realizing their mistake in thinking you and raoul were married

“my what a shame they look rather cute together”

“Do I have a chance?”

Were the most you heard

Raoul squeezed your hand tight as you both walked onto the stage

- Christine 3rd person pov -

‘Vicomte de chagny? And miss y/n’ Christine questioned in her head

As she walked up the stairs with Meg she realized who the two individuals were “it’s raoul and y/n..” she said her breath taken away

She watched as the pair walked onto the stage theirs arms lovingly intertwined

She frowned at this for she had liked raoul when they were all younger ‘at least I know they arent married’

Meg looked at Christine concerned over her frown

“Before my father died, at the house by the sea, I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts, he called me little Lotte” Christine said with her frown turning into a slight smile

“Christine hes so handsome! And that woman is just as beautiful!” Meg said giggling

As the pair walked toward the men raoul said “my parents and I are honored to support all the arts! Especially the world renowned opera populaire”

Christine was smiling even wider at how generous Raoul still was

Her smile quickly faded when La Carlotta began to walk toward Raoul and y/n

Thats when Lefevre said “vicomte, gentlemen, mademoiselle, Signora Carlotta Guidicelle, our leading soprano for five seasons”

Christine cringed at the fact La Carlotta had put her best fake smile and giggle as Raoul kissed her hand and how her “fans” began to obnoxiously cheer

She also couldn’t help but notice how y/ns eyes seemed annoyed as well despite the warm smile on her face

Then piangy coughed rather oddly for the men to recognize him, only then did lefevre say “Signor Ubaldo Piangi.”

More clapping ensued

Thats when y/n said “An honor signor, I believe we are keeping you from your rehearsal, We will be here this evening to share your great triumph, my apologies monsieur”

“Thank you mademoiselle y/n! And monsieur! Once more if you please signor!” The man who was known as monsieur Reyer said

Thats when the y/n and raoul began to leave the stage

Only then did Carlotta start to say “he love me! He love me! He love me! Love love love me!”

How self centered can she get?

Thats when Christine noticed raoul and y/n were about to pass her

She smiled in anticipation, that is, until they passed her as if they didnt recognize her

Christine’s eyes turned sad as she smiled to Meg “he wouldn’t recognize me”

Meg reassured her “he didnt see you”

Thats when Madame giry said “would you please?”

rehearsals continued

To be continued…..

Chapter Text

Right now!

- Madame giry 3rd person pov -

“We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet Monsieur” Madame giry said confidently as she led the men to examine the dancers

“I see why” André had his eyes agape watching the young girls dance, when a certain dancer caught his eye

“Especially that little blond angel!” André had been looking a tad bit disrespectfully

“My daughter, Meg Giry.” Madame said with slight attitude ‘you dare gaze at my daughter in such a way.’

“And that exceptional beauty no relation, I trust?” Firmin said hopeful to the fact that this beauty would not upset the Madame with his ‘compliments’

Madame giry felt a tad more at ease yet still was annoyed at the fact he had talked about the girl who was practically her daughter

Yet feared if that man had heard what that man had just said

“Promising talent, monsieur Firmin, Very promising” Madame giry looked at Christine with proud eyes, for she was in fact a very talented girl

“Daaé, you say? No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?” Andrés curiosity growing even more in regards to the young girl

Madame girys eyes glimmered at the innocent curiosity of monsieur André “His only child, orphaned at seven when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories.”

“An orphan, you say?” Monsieur Firmin had slight venom within his tone

Madame giry was angry at his tone “I think of her as a daughter also” glaring into his eyes warning him not to overstep

“Gentlemen, if you would kindly stand to one side” Madame began leading the men to one side of the stage as to not bother the people who were rehearsing

“Hannibals friends!” The extras within this production sang in unison almost as if the rehearsal would be perfect, but alas there always needs to be a flaw

“Oh no, not on my dress, why!?”

‘Of course the seamstresses have not yet finished the dress.’ Madame giry sighed obviously annoyed

‘At least she will be able to sing’ The madame thought as she turned to watch the ballet dancers carefully

“The trumpeting elephants sound!
hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to their step on the ground!
hear the drums!”

Madame giry heard a small commotion and turned to look at piangi struggling to hoist himself up onto the fake elephant ‘ah another problem’ she chuckled to herself

“Hannibal comes!” La Carlottas face was annoyed at the new managers gawking at the dancers

Madame giry couldn’t help but have a disapproving look as signor piangis hat had fallen

On top of that he gave up mounting the elephant and decided to just sadly hang onto the elephants side

‘a sad man indeed.’ She shook her head

With that this songs rehearsal ended, and immediately a certain woman began with her complaints

“Ah, all that they want is your dancing!” La Carlotta whined loudly

“Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala” monsieur Lefevre said with a smile on his face

“He's excited by dancing girls as your new managers!” La Carlotta said accusingly as she became increasingly annoyed

‘Thats because my dancers have class.’ The Madame had a smug smile on her face

“Because I will not be singing!” She had yelled rather loud catching everyone’s attention

‘Oh my here we go again’ Madame giry rolled her eyes sighing at another one of La Carlottas fits

“Goodbye, everyone! Now it's finished! Get my doggie, bring my doggie! Bye bye!” La Carlotta began storming off her shrill voice making everyone wince

“What do we do?” André said with actual concern in his voice worried as to what might happen if they dont get her back

Monsieur Lefevre who has dealt with this before knew exactly what to say to the men “Grovel, grovel, grovel”

“Right” both Firmin and André said sighing marching along with Lefevre toward the signora

“See you later, because I'm going out! It is finished!” Carlotta was practically steaming! Because she is quite the entitled woman.

“Principessa! Bella diva!” Monsieur André had taken it upon himself to try to appease her through compliments

“Si! Si! Si!” La Carlotta hissed back

“Goddess of song!” Monsieur Firmin said loudly as if he were belting through a verse

‘He is practically going overboard now’ Madame snickered at his comment

“Monsieur reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elisa in Act Three of 'Hannibal'?” Monsieur André asked his eyes begging for the man to comply as Monsieur reyer slightly shook his head

Before the poor man could answer La Carlotta interrupted “Yes, yes, yes. Ma no! because I have not my costume for act 3 because somebody not finish it! and I hate my hat!” Her grating voice only grew shriller and shriller

“But- I wonder, Signora, as a personal favor if you would oblige us with a private rendition!” Monsieur Firmin said his words rushed and hopeful as to appease the woman

He then pointed almost accusingly toward poor Monsieur reyer “Unless, of course, Monsieur Reyer objects”

Carlotta began her sentence with a face close to tears “No. Aspetta, aspetta. If my managers command…” ending her sentence with a smile

‘She will take any opportunity to feed her ego wont she?’ Madame giry thought as she shook her head

“Monsieur Reyer?” La Carlotta asked her mood already lightened by the compliments given

“if My diva commands?” Reyer said with slight impatience in his voice

The Prima Donna said with eagerness “Yes, I do.”

“Everybody be quite” the Prima Donna commanded as if she herself was the owner

“Monsieur Lefevre, why exactly are you retiring?” André said his mood becoming nervous if he need to expect dealing with this often

“My house” Lefevre said innocently

“I see” André was not convinced

Once more the Prima Donna shushed everyone rudely even going as far as shushing piangi

“You as well!” Her eyes glaring at him

As she grabbed her throat spray and sprayed it into her mouth reyer called out

“Signora?” Slightly put of breath from rushing over to his stand

“Maestro” she rudely shoved the spray back into the box her helper was holding

‘Here she goes’ madame giry said as she covered her ears

“Think of me, think of me, fondly
When we've said goodbye”

Monsieur André cringed and the ladies below in the seats put cloth into their ears

“Remember me once in a while
Please promise me you'll try
When you find that once again
You long to take your heart-“

A scream broke in the middle of her singing followed with more screams and shouts as the backdrop of the stage fell onto La Carlotta as she shrieked

“Signora! Signora!” Reyer yelled, seemingly being the only one who was concerned

As La carlotta yelled out to be helped and many people swarmed her

Madame Giry turned to her daughter who softly said “He's here: the Phantom of the Opera”

Madame giry walked off toward the back of the stage

“Signora! Are you all right?” A man said attempting to console the poor woman

“Buquet! For God's sake, man, what's going on up there!?” Lefevre yelled angry at the man for dropping the backdrop

“Please, monsieur,don't look at me as God's my judge, I was not at my post!” Buquet called out claiming innocence nervous if he was truly going to be in trouble

As the man claimed his innocence madame Giry looked around the back searching for something

It was floating down

‘You vile man, what do you need now’ she was nervous as to what it contained

“Please, monsieur, there's no one there or if there is, well then, it must be a ghost” buquet said chuckling, mocking Lefevre

Madame Giry picked up a letter off the floor recognizing the mans signature wax seal

“Signora, these things do happen” André said smiling nervously hoping to not set off the signora

His attempt was futile

La Carlottas eyes widen as her rage was finally put over the edge “For the past three years these things do happen! And did you stop them from happening?! No!” She said directing her words toward Lefevre

“And you two!” Her finger practically in the faces of Firmin and André “you are as bad as him! these things do happen! Ma!” she grunted in frustration

“Until you stop these things from happening! This thing does not happen!! Ubaldo! Andiamo! Bring my doggy! and my boxy!” She shouted this time rushing away for sure, not turning back

Piangi walked up the men and said with disgust on his face “Amateurs!”

“Now you see! Byebye I'm really leaving!” La Carlotta yelled from afar

Lefevre walked forward to face the two worried men his face had remorse for them as he sighed “Gentlemen, Good luck, If you need me, I shall be in Australia.”

As Lefevre turned Reyer groaned as if all hope was lost wiping his head with a cloth

André turned to Reyer “Signora Guidicelli, she will be coming back, won't she?” his tone hopeful and pleading

His hope wasn’t met when Reyer shrugged turning away in distress

Madame Giry popped up behind the new managers a smug smile on her face “You think so, monsieur?”

She then held out the letter “I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost” she was going to read it until she was interrupted

Firmin rolled his eyes “God in heaven, you're all obsessed!”

Madame Giry with a reassuring voice said “He welcomes you to his opera house”

Firmin with a very offended tone exclaims “His? opera house?”

“And commands that you continue to leave Box Five empty for his use” Madame giry pointed to the famed box 5 “and reminds you that his salary is due.” She was annoyed with firmins constant attitude and tone

“His salary?!” Firmin quietly shouted as André took the letter to examine it

‘Yes you oaf’ the Madames face turned surprised that a grown man couldn’t understand words that had just been said

“Monsieur Lefevre used to give him twenty thousand francs a month.” She fiddled with her long braid as she repeated with detail what he didn’t hear

Firmins eyes widened “Twenty thousand francs?!” He rudely snatched the letter from André to examine the letter for himself

André didn’t seem to mind as he was examining the evelopes wax seal itself

“Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte de Chagny as your patron.” The Madame said her arm on her waist sassing the man slightly

Firmin raised his voice “Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement public tonight when the Vicomte was to join us at the gala.” He was clearly angry with how his thunder was stolen by this woman

He was clearly annoyed as he ripped the letter into pieces “But obviously we shall now have to cancel as it appears we have lost our star.”

Reyers face was surprised as his jaw hung open at firmins boldness to rip the phantoms letter

“S-surely There should be a understudy” André pointed out for he wanted to calm Firmin down before he did something rash

“Understudy? There is no understudy for La Calatta!” Reyer shouted, offended that the leading lady would have an understudy

Firmins voice was shaking as he nervously talked to André “A full house, André, we shall have to refund a full house!”

‘You Buffon, hm, she has been taught rather well’

“Christine Daae could sing it, sir” the Madame said using her cane to point at the girl

“The chorus girl? Don't be silly” André said as if he heard the Madame call him and André a Buffon from her thoughts

“She's been taking lessons from a great teacher.” Madame said matter of factly nearly warning him to not underestimate her skill

“Who?” André said raising his nose to the air to appear looking down at Christine

Christine who was put on the spot was scared as she said “I don't know his name, monsieur”

‘At least she knows to not mention her “Angel”’

The Madame walked next to the young girl and put a hand on her shoulder “Let her sing for you, monsieur. She has been well taught.” Nodding to confirm her skill

André whos voice softened agreed to let her try “Alright, come on, don't be shy, come on, come on”

André tried to give the girl confidence “Just, just-“ before he was interrupted

Reyer said aloud walking to his conducting stand “From the beginning of the aria, mademoiselle”

Firmin who had massive doubts of this complained to André “Andre, this is doing nothing for my nerves.”

André whispered “She's very pretty”

Christine began to sing

“Think of me, think of me fondly
when we've said goodbye”

André his mouth agape looked to Firmin, at the same time signor piangi had walked back to the stage to watch the girl in awe

“Remember me once in a while
please promise me you'll try
When you find that, once again, you long to
take your heart back and be free
if you ever find a moment
spare a thought for me...”

Almost as if in a flash, Christine was before a crowd, her first performance as a leading lady, she stood confidently, in a beautiful white gown, jewel flowers in her hair, and a breath taking pair of earrings, as she was facing the rather large and filled opera house

“We never said our love was evergreen,
Or as unchanging as the sea”

Many men of the Helprin staff looked below to catch a glimpse of the singing Angel

“But if you can still remember,
Stop and think of me
Think of all the things
We've shared and seen”

Man people in the crowd were whispering ever so quietly amongst themselves

“Don't think about the ways
things might have been
Think of me, think of me
waking silent and resigned”

‘She is such an amazing child’ Madame giry thought as she tilted her head toward Meg

“Imagine me, trying too hard
to put you from my mind”

Madame giry walked off leaving Meg at the sidelines of the stage

“Recall those days,
look back on all those times
Thinks of the things, we'll never do
There will never be a day
when I won't think of you”

As she held her note a man stood below the stage admiring the young girls feat in leading lady and admiring her beautiful voice

Everyone in the opera house clapped

- Y/n pov -

‘Hold on, why does she look familiar….’

‘Oh!’

“Can it be” you say with shock hinting your voice as your hand slightly covers your mouth

“Can it be Christine” Raoul says with joy and excitement hinting his as his eyes glimmer

“Brava!” You jump up clapping to cheer on your beloved long lost friend

Raoul jumped up following you “brava!”

You both quickly leave as you began “long ago”

Raoul joins grabbing your hand “it seems so long ago”

You both join a beautiful harmony “how young and innocent we were”

You rush down the steps of the opera holding raouls hand reassuringly “she may not remember us but”

Raoul squeezed your hand “We remember her” continuing to rush toward the back areas of the stage as you both still admire Christine’s singing from afar

‘How far our friend has come, she is as good as me, better even!’ you say in your head

“Let us hope we can get there quick enough!” You giggle letting go of Raouls hand

As you ran ahead looking for Christine’s room you accidentally lost Raoul

To be continued…