Dances, Deception and Death Eaters

Chapter 10

As the school year drew to a close, the looming weight of Madame Maxime's expectations settled on her once more. The grand End-of-Year Ceremony was filled with music and laughter, students in their finest robes celebrating another year of achievement. Yet Evie couldn't shake the sense of unease. She knew what was coming.

Once the ceremony was over and students were making their way back to the dormitories, she was summoned. Madame Maxime's office, high up in the ivory tower of Beauxbatons, was both breathtaking and foreboding. The tall, commanding figure of the headmistress stood waiting for her, cold and unreadable as ever. Evie knew better than to protest when she was instructed to enter. As the door closed behind her, Evie felt her heart quicken, but she kept her chin raised.

"Evie," Madame Maxime began in her deep, resonant voice. "You have done well this year—remarkably well in many aspects. But let us not forget the transgressions that almost cost you your chance to return to your beloved Hogwarts."

Evie braced herself, clenching her fists at her sides. She had managed to walk a fine line all year, determined not to let any of her slip-ups from previous years get her expelled. Her record had been previously marred by moments of defiance, moments where the fire in her spirit had clashed with the rigid rules of Beauxbatons.

The punishment came swiftly, just as she knew it would. Madame Maxime's strikes were sharp, precise, and controlled. Evie bit her lip, refusing to cry out, refusing to give the headmistress the satisfaction of seeing her break. She could only focus on the future—the upcoming summer and her hope of returning to Hogwarts. Each strike was a reminder of what was at stake.

When it was over, Madame Maxime straightened her robes and stared down at her. "Remember this, Evie. If you wish to return to Hogwarts the year after next, you must behave yourself. There will be no tolerance for rebellion at Beauxbatons. Do you understand?"

Evie nodded silently, her ribs aching but her resolve unbroken. She had endured worse, and if this was the price to pay for freedom, she would bear it. She left the office with her head held high, determined that Beauxbatons would not break her spirit, even if it bruised her now broken body.

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The summer couldn't come quickly enough, and as soon as the term ended, Evie found herself heading to the one place that always felt like home—the Burrow.

The Weasleys were a second family to her. They offered her warmth and laughter in ways that made her feel like she belonged. This summer would be no different, her 16th birthday was fast approaching and she had bigger things to look forward to this year: the Quidditch World Cup.

As the enchanted car pulled up to the Burrow, Evie felt a rush of warmth flood through her chest—an all-too-familiar mix of excitement and comfort. The house, still as wonderfully lopsided as ever, and bustling with life. Her trunk was barely unloaded when a streak of red hair came flying toward her.

"Evie!" George's voice boomed, full of excitement and warmth. Before she could even react, he had enveloped her in the biggest bear hug, lifting her off her feet with ease. George had grown dramatically since she had last seen him, he must have easily been over 6ft tall now.

Evie's breath hitched sharply as pain shot through her chest. Three of her ribs were still broken from Madame Maxime's 'reminder,' as she hadn't had a chance to fully heal them all yet, and wanted to leave that place as soon as she could. George's enthusiastic embrace had set them ablaze. She bit her lip hard, trying her best to hide the wince that escaped her lips as a soft, barely audible gasp.