Austria packed up his violin in its case. He was ready for a very special event; a school a little bit outside of Vienna had asked him to come and teach a music class. Being the man he was, Austria accepted the offer and made his way to his car. Maybe there will be some very talented children at this school, He thought as he drove down the road.

As soon as he arrived, the principal greeted Austria and began showing him around. He saw children of all ages walking about in neat and clean uniforms. Besides that, they each carried an instrument or instrumental case around with them wherever they went.

What Austria failed to notice was that one little girl, who was just 7-years old, was the only one without an instrument on her person. She looked very similar to Austria, with her brown hair and violet eyes. Plus there was one little mole on her left cheek, just below her lips.

When she saw Austria walk by, she stopped at her locker and stared at him. It just seemed like a connection was automatically formed. Wow, she thought. It's like I've known him my whole life.

Just as she watched him go by, a small paper was thrown at her head. "Hey look, it's 'Melody'!" One kid shouted, making Melody blush with embarrassment. "Why don't you have a good melody, Melody? You don't even know how to play an instrument!" Other kids started laughing at the young girl, who quickly ran into a janitor's closet and closed the door.

Melody slid to the floor and wrapped her arms around her legs. "It's not my fault I'm different," she muttered to herself. There she sat until it was time for her favorite, but also least favorite, class; Music Class. She made her way into the room, making sure to be the last person in so no one would noticed and make fun of her, and sat on her seat. There, she waited until the chatter died down and her music teacher walked into the room with Austria by her side.

"Class, we have a very important guest here today," she announced and all the children immediately sat up in their seats. "This is Mr. Roderich Edelstein. He is going to be here for the next week, teaching you all the fundamentals of music. So I want you all to be on your best behavior and perform to the best of your abilities, understand?"

"Yes ma'am," all the children said.

"Gut. Now then Mr. Edelstein, they are all yours."

"Thank you," Austria thanked before turning his attention to the students. Melody gulped a little as he walked passed her and the other students and then came back around. "Music is something that should be used by everyone. It's a work of art where you draw a scene with sound. All of you should be musically gifted, otherwise you wouldn't be here. In the words of the great Austrian, Beethoven; Music is a higher revelation than philosphy."

That's when Melody raised her hand. Austria called on her. "Um, wasn't Beethoven German, sir?"

The whole class erupted into laughter but Austria quickly silenced them by tapping his Baton on a music stand, making everyone quiet down. Austria then made his way over to Melody, who gulped down her nervousness. "What is your name?" Austria asked her.

"Melody, sir."

"Well then my dear, I'm sure you wouldn't mind performing Beethoven's Violin Concerto for all us. After all, you seem to be quite the expert on him."

As Melody stood up with her violin, the other students snickered and giggled as she walked to the front of the class. Sweat trickled down her neck as she got in position. Here goes nothing, She thought as she placed herself in the position. What followed was noise that could only be described as a cat getting its back waxed. Just ten seconds of it was enough to make Austria stop Melody's performance.

**********

The school-day was finally over and Austria was packing up his things. The day was all right, except for the ghastly incident with Melody. How can a child with a name like Melody be so untalented when it comes to music? He wondered as he packed his things up.

Just as he walked outside, Austria stopped when he heard singing. It was a beautiful soprano voice that was singing Benedictus:

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini,

Benedictus qui venit, qui venit,

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini,

Benedictus, benedictus qui venit in nomine,

Qui venit in nomine Domini

Benedictus, benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini

Benedictus qui venit, qui venit,

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis,

Hosanna in excelsis, in excelsis!

Benedictus qui venit in nomine, nomine Domini,

Hosanna in excelsis, in excelsis

Hosanna in excelsis, in excelsis, in excelsis, in excelsis!

Benedictus, benedictus!

(A/N: This is not an easy song to learn. Ray and I learned that first hand.)

After the singer was done, Austria rounded a corner to find that it was little Melody who the voice belonged to. She had been sitting on a bench, singing to the birds it seemed, and was just finishing up when she saw Austria. "Mr. Edelstein, sir!" Melody quickly straightened herself up. "I was- I was just-"

"That was beautiful," Austria told her, surprising Melody. "I've never heard anything so beautiful in my life."

"I'm not that good sir."

"That is nonsense. Your voice was heavenly."

Melody blushes and looks at the ground. "You really think so?"

"Yes I do."

The few days that followed were full of vocal practice and singing. Austria soon learned that Melody was an orphan and that even though she wasn't a good musician, she could sing. Then Austria did something that surprised everyone; he adopted the little girl.

As she walked out of the orphanage, Austria took a hold of her hand and smiled at her for the first time. She smiled at him as well. "Thank you Mr. Edelstein," Melody thanked.

"You don't have to call me that," Austria insisted.

"Then, can I call you Vati?"

Austria was silent for a moment and nodded. "All right."

Melody smiled as she stood beside Austria. She was happy that she had a family.