A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 10: First Steps

"Still doesn't make sense," James muttered, shaking his head. "How can she stand it? Him touching her like that?"

Sirius let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You think she has a choice?"

The words hit James like a slap, and he fell silent, his gaze dropping to the ground. Across the platform, the final whistle of the train sounded, and Tom leaned down to say something to Anastasia, his expression softening ever so slightly. She nodded, her face calm, serene, the perfect picture of composure. Then, with a final lingering look, she turned and boarded the train.

Tom stayed where he was, his dark eyes following her until she disappeared into the crowd. James and Sirius watched as he straightened his jacket, his smirk returning as he turned on his heel and vanished into the bustling crowd.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The train began to pull away, the sound of its engine growing louder as it left the platform behind. James finally broke the silence, his voice quiet and strained. "She didn't look scared."

"She wouldn't," Sirius replied, his tone bitter. "Not in front of him. Not in front of anyone."

James glanced at him, his expression torn between frustration and guilt. "How do you know?"

Sirius didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the empty space where Tom had been moments before. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but firm. "Because we grew up together. And if there's one thing we know how to do, it's survive."

As the train's whistle blew, Anastasia boarded, finding an empty compartment near the back. She'd usually sit with Regulus and Lucius, but after the week she had, Anastasia did not feel like having company, nor did she have the strength to face them both. So instead, she sat down alone, her mind already working through her next steps. She knew she had to stay strong, to play her part perfectly.

The train began to move, and as the platform disappeared from view, Anastasia allowed herself a small, determined smile. She would endure this, she would protect those she loved, and one day, she would be free.

As the Hogwarts Express sliced through the countryside, leaving behind the echoes of farewells and the hustle of Platform 9, Anastasia felt the weight of the morning's events pressing down on her. A tangible ache that refused to ease. Her head rested against the cool glass, but even that simple relief felt fleeting.

She sighed and leaned back, dragging her bag into her lap. If nothing else, she could distract herself—maybe a book or notes she'd meant to review. Anything to keep her thoughts from circling back to Tom, his hands on her, his voice dripping with that venomous charm. She rifled through the bag with mechanical efficiency, her fingers brushing against smooth leather, the brittle edges of parchment—until they landed on something unexpected.

A rectangular pack tumbled free, landing on the seat beside her. Anastasia frowned and reached for it, tilting it into the light as she studied it.

A muggle cigarette pack.

For a moment, she simply stared at it, her mind sluggishly piecing together how it could've ended up in her belongings. She opened the pack and saw a silver lighter stuck between the cigarettes.

Sirius.

A small, dry laugh escaped her lips as she turned the pack over in her hands. Of course it was his. She could practically hear him now, teasing her for handling it like it might combust in her hands. How many times had she rolled her eyes at this ridiculous muggle habit of his? And yet, curiosity had eventually gotten the better of her, and she'd let him show her how to light one—strictly for novelty's sake, she'd told herself.