A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 10: First Steps

"Smoking, huh? How very muggle of you," he said, stepping up beside her.

"Back to your stalking antics so soon, Potter? How refreshing."

James smirked, though there was a tightness to it, an awkwardness that didn't suit him. "Just can't stay away, Gaunt. You've got this... magnetic charm."

Her glare deepened, but she said nothing, taking another slow drag as if to emphasise her disinterest in whatever game he thought he was playing.

James, undeterred, stepped fully onto the platform, his hands shoved into the pockets of his robes. "Didn't peg you as the type to indulge in muggle habits." he said, glancing pointedly at the cigarette between her fingers.

"And I didn't peg you for someone with a death wish," she retorted, her tone sharp. "But here we both are."

James grinned despite himself, but there was something almost nervous in the way he shifted his weight. "I'm just making conversation, Gaunt. No need to bite my head off."

"Conversation? Is that what we're calling this now?" She raised an eyebrow, her expression dubious. "What exactly do you want?"

James hesitated for a beat, as if weighing his options, before his grin widened, feigned ease spilling into his voice. "To join you, obviously. Cigarette, please. Let's make this a proper bonding moment."

Anastasia rolled her eyes and turned back to the horizon, the cigarette balanced delicately between her fingers. "What is it, Potter?" she asked flatly. "I'm not in the mood to entertain whatever this is supposed to be."

For once, James faltered. He hadn't expected her to make this easy, but the bluntness of her dismissal still stung. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, his grin slipping into something softer, more uncertain.

"Look," he said after a moment, his tone quieter, "I'm not playing at anything. Just thought maybe you could use the company."

She snorted, turning back toward the open air, the cigarette balanced delicately between her fingers. "Are you quite alright, Potter?" she repeated, her voice laced with incredulity. "Or did you hit your head during the break? In what world would your company be of any use to me?"

He shrugged, stepping closer until he was leaning on the railing beside her. "It's a brave new world, Gaunt. Thought I'd give kindness a shot."

"Kindness?" she echoed, her tone biting as she turned to face him fully, her sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of the cigarette. "Now I know you've definitely hit your head. Am I supposed to be touched?"

He grinned, though the sharpness in her tone made it waver slightly. "Don't strain yourself."

Anastasia took another drag, exhaling slowly before fixing him with a pointed look. "So, this is your new strategy? Show up uninvited and hover until I'm forced to acknowledge you?"

"Something like that," he said lightly, stepping closer despite her glare. "And here I thought you'd be more gracious about the effort."

She scoffed, shaking her head as she turned back to the railing. "Well, I guess it's a good thing you're used to being wrong."

He grinned despite himself, though her coldness wasn't unexpected. "You've got a way with words, Gaunt. It's no wonder people find you so charming."

Instead of leaving, as she hoped, James stepped closer, his hands shoved casually into his pockets. He stood beside her, letting the wind ruffle his messy hair as he studied her. His gaze flicked to the cigarette in her hand, his brows raising slightly as he reached forward and plucked one from her pack without asking.