A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 12: A Change of Heart

James shot him a withering glare. "I do not pine."

"You absolutely do," Sirius said, grinning as he leaned forward. "It's embarrassing, really. The James Potter I know wouldn't waste his time on a girl who's probably plotting his downfall as we speak."

"Anastasia's not plotting my downfall," James said, before he could stop himself.

Both Sirius and Remus froze, their expressions morphing into identical looks of intrigue.

"Anastasia, is it?" Sirius asked, his grin widening. "What happened to 'Gaunt' or 'that snake' or whatever else you used to call her?"

"Shut up," James mumbled, his face growing hotter by the second. "It's just—never mind."

"Oh, no, no, no," Remus said, setting his tea down with a pointed look. "You don't get to brush this off. Something happened. Didn't it?"

"Nothing happened," James insisted, his voice rising slightly. He stabbed a piece of sausage with more force than necessary, avoiding both their gazes. "I'm just... keeping an eye on her."

"Right, because she's such a delicate flower," Sirius quipped. "Gaunt needs your protection like Snape needs more grease in his hair."

James's response was cut short by the faintest movement at the Slytherin table. Anastasia had finished her writing and was rising to leave, tucking the parchment into her bag with effortless grace. As she slung the strap over her shoulder, her gaze flicked across the Great Hall, landing on him for the briefest of moments.

Their eyes met.

James's heart skipped a beat, a sharp, unbidden jolt that sent warmth rushing to his face. Her expression remained unreadable, her dark eyes cool and steady, but she didn't look away immediately. Instead, she held his gaze for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary before turning sharply and making her way out of the hall.

James stared after her, his stomach doing an unfamiliar flip.

"Would you look at that, Moony," Sirius said, breaking the silence with a dramatic flourish. "James is a goner."

"I am not a goner," James shot back, but the way his voice cracked at the end did little to support his claim.

"You're absolutely a goner," Remus said, shaking his head in mock pity. "This is almost sad to watch."

James groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I hate both of you."

Sirius patted his shoulder with mock sympathy. "Cheer up, Prongs. You've unlocked a new emotion."

"You're not helping," James grumbled, shooting him a glare.

"Didn't know I was supposed to be," Sirius shot back with a wink. He nudged Remus. "Moony, what do you think? Reckon Prongs has a chance with her?"

Remus didn't look up from his book immediately, turning a page with maddening calm. "With Gaunt?" he asked absently, his tone neutral. "Depends."

Sirius's eyes lit up with mischief. "Depends on what?"

"On whether she decides she's in the mood for Potter's particular brand of charm," Remus replied, finally glancing up to meet Sirius's gaze, his lips twitching with the faintest hint of amusement.

James groaned, dropping his head into his hands. "Oh, for the love of Merlin, can we not do this?"

"Do what?" Sirius said innocently. "Celebrate your newfound interest in the Ice Queen of Slytherin? I think it's adorable."

"Not adorable," James muttered, his ears burning.

"Oh, it's adorable," Sirius countered with a smirk. "Don't worry, mate. I'm sure she'll thaw out in another hundred years or so."