From Expectation to Insanity--An AU that is entirely too possible.
Evangeline was strong. her body was toned from hours upon hours of ballet lessons. Her arms were bulky from practice after practice of Quidditch, being the beater. She was small, but powerful. Her bark was almost as bad as her bite. She was the captain, a prefect, a perfect pureblood child.
But she was weak. She could not allow her subconscious thoughts to overtake the years of brainwash she endured. She stood up straighter when told to do so. She smiled pretty and laughed at jokes that had no comedy to them. She never let herself delve deeper into why she liked those half-bloods and mood-bloods so much. Why they seemed so much purer than her blood could ever be. She never stopped her mother from criticizing her or her father from drunkenly dictating her life—even up to her wedding day.
Just as she had always dreamed of, the summer of her sixth year, Evangeline was betrothed to a handsome, french man. He had powerful muscles, a strong jaw line, and a furrowed brow. When he gave a rare smile, it dazzled all of those around. His blood was as pure as Evangeline’s was. But his eyes were brown. Evangeline would not have the blue eyed, blonde haired baby she’d always dreamed of. No matter. Her family would still be perfect.
During banquets and balls, he would not let her out of his sight. She could not dance with other men, even the elder, married men. If she snuck away, he’d appear by her side within moments and squeeze her arm just a little to tight. She smiled and flipped her hair. The other girls looked on in jealousy. Evangeline came to school that September with a smug smile on her face. She was taken, to be married. She was already ahead of the rest of them, ready to start her perfect, happy life. Purebloods and mudbloods alike asked how she could be so happy to throw her life away so soon. How she could be happy to settle for someone she barely knew, let alone loved. Evangeline buried the doubts that rose in her mind. She was happy.
After Christmas break, Evangeline came to school with a deadly look framed by a black eye and a cut cheek. Didn't your mother teach you not to stare? She’d snap, her words much more vitriolic and biting than usual. For your information I was watching a rather impressive duel when a spell rebounded, thank you very much. Now I suggest you avert your eyes before I gouge them out of their sockets. Her father had tried to heal the cuts. Her mother suggested putting make-up over the bruise. It was all a misunderstanding. It won’t happen again. So what if he has a temper that matches yours. Maybe you’ll learn some manners. Don’t mess this up Evangeline.
She dreaded Spring Break. But she dreaded coming back to school even more. The bruises were where no one could see. The pain when walking was unbearable, and she didn't need Madam Pomphry to tell her she’d likely never dance again. When a rare friend would visit her in the hospital wing she’d stare at them blankly and refuse to eat. I’m going to kill him. She mentioned one evening, nonchalantly, her voice devoid of emotion, eyes staring unseeing. No, I am, really. I’ve never let anyone hurt me, why let him? Don’t be silly. If I didn’t marry him— She thought of her cousin, who had died for the love a muggle. She didn’t say anything. No this is the only way to do it. Perhaps I can poison him. An easy clean up. I’d have to get a good potioneer… Maybe Thorne. But no, she wouldn’t. Perhaps I’ll burn down the house we will live in. He’ll burn alive. He wouldn’t be able to get out. How tragic. Or, maybe one day he’ll just disappear. Leave his family to wonder. That would be quite nice. Of course then I’d be stuck.
Eventually she snapped out of it. She smiled as she said goodbye to her friends. She rode the Hogwarts Express one last time. The wedding had a thousand white roses and little albino fawns on diamond leashes. Her newly wed face was caked on with concealer to hide a bruise. No one smiled in the pictures. She moved in to a spacious, clean manor. Evangeline gave birth to a boy with brown eyes and a blue face. Her husband was not there when Evangeline held him for the first and last time.
Then she killed her husband.
Evangeline’s mind had broken down, but not so she could learn to love muggleborns and half-bloods. It broke down so she could no longer love.
