A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 2: Moves and Countermoves

She allowed herself a polite smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Indeed. I trust your work at the Ministry has kept you busy?"

"Very," he replied, leaning back slightly in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. "But one must always make time for matters of... personal importance."

The emphasis wasn't lost on her. She maintained her composure, turning her attention to the goblet of wine that had appeared before her, though she didn't drink from it. "How fortunate, then, that the stars aligned for this evening."

Orion cleared his throat, his deep voice breaking through the undercurrent of tension. "Tom has been invaluable to the Ministry in recent years. His work in the Department of Mysteries is nothing short of extraordinary."

"Uncle Orion flatters me," Tom said smoothly, his eyes never leaving Anastasia. "I simply do what is necessary. Much like yourself, Anastasia."

Her brow arched slightly at the pointed remark, but she remained impassive. "And what necessity brings you here tonight, Tom?"

Tom leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes fixed on her. "You must forgive the abruptness, Anastasia. It seems your uncle has been eager to ensure that our... mutual interests align."

Mutual interests. The phrase sent a chill down her spine. Her hands remained folded in her lap, perfectly still, as she met his gaze. "I wasn't aware we had mutual interests."

Tom's smile widened, though it never reached his eyes. "Surely you must have anticipated something like this. Your family and mine share more than blood purity; we share a vision for the future. A stronger, unified magical world. Together, we would be an unstoppable force."

There it was. The unspoken truth laid bare. Her chest tightened, though her expression betrayed nothing. She turned to Orion, her voice like frost. "Ah, I see," she let out a humourless chuckle, "Pawning me away to the most powerful bidder. How very... predictable."

Walburga's expression darkened, but Orion interjected, his voice firm. "Anastasia, mind your tone. This is a great honor."

"I'm sure it is," she replied, her gaze flickering back to Tom, who was watching her with a curious intensity. "Though I wasn't aware I was worthy of such honour yet."

Tom's lips twitched, the faintest shadow of a smirk crossing his face. "You've always had a way with words," he said, his voice carrying a trace of amusement. "It's one of your more... endearing qualities."

"Along with my obedience, I'm sure," she replied smoothly, her eyes meeting his. "Don't mistake my candour for insubordination."

He inclined his head slightly, the dangerous gleam in his eyes growing. "I wouldn't dream of it."

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the faint clink of Orion setting down his glass. "It's decided," he said firmly, his gaze sharp as it settled on her. "The announcement will be made at the next family gathering."

"And I am, of course, delighted to comply," Anastasia said, her voice as smooth as silk but her words laced with irony. She turned her attention back to Tom. "It seems congratulations are in order."

He studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft but unyielding. "I believe the congratulations are mutual."

The words were simple, yet they carried a weight that made her chest tighten. She had known this moment would come—had prepared for it her entire life. Yet the reality of it, sitting across from Tom Riddle, his ambition and darkness filling the space between them, was far heavier than she had imagined.