A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 16: The Astronomy Tower

Yet, he hesitated, torn between the desire to be there for her and the fear of overstepping, of assuming a familiarity or acceptance that she had not offered.

As the minutes ticked by, James's internal debate continued, the map before him a silent testament to the struggle within. To go to her, to breach the gap once more, was a risk—a risk of rejection, of misunderstanding, but also a risk of missing an opportunity to deepen a connection that, despite all odds, seemed to be forming between them.

In the end, the decision was made not by logic or reason, but by a simple, undeniable truth that had become increasingly clear to James: in the face of doubt, in the grip of uncertainty, the act of reaching out, of offering support, was worth the risk.

"Bloody fool," he muttered under his breath as he slipped out of the dormitory and into the quiet castle corridors.

The night was still young, and the path to the Astronomy Tower beckoned. James Potter, guided by a mix of concern, curiosity, and an inexplicable sense of connection, made his choice. Tonight, he would not let Anastasia face her thoughts alone. The consequences of that decision, for better or worse, would unfold under the starlit sky.

James made his way through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, each step taking him closer to the Astronomy Tower. The castle was quieter at night, the usual bustle of students replaced by the soft whispers of the night and the occasional creaks and sighs of the ancient building settling around him. His heart beat a steady rhythm of anticipation and apprehension, the decision to seek out Anastasia in her solitude weighing heavily on him.

As he climbed the final staircase to the Astronomy Tower, the cool night air greeted him, carrying with it the faint scent of the surrounding forest and the distant sound of the Black Lake's shores lapping gently against its banks. The door to the tower was ajar, a sliver of moonlight spilling out onto the stone steps, beckoning him forward.

James paused for a moment before entering, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He was acutely aware of the significance of this gesture, of the potential it held to either bridge the gap between them or widen it further. With a final, silent promise to tread carefully, to respect whatever boundaries Anastasia might set, he pushed the door open and stepped into the tower.

The Astronomy Tower, with its panoramic views of the night sky, was bathed in silver light. The stars twinkled above, indifferent observers to the human drama unfolding beneath them. Anastasia was there, just as the map had shown, standing at the parapet, her gaze turned upward. Her posture was relaxed, yet there was a tension in the way she held herself, a reflection of the thoughts that James suspected were swirling through her mind.

She didn't seem to notice his arrival, or if she did, she gave no outward sign. James took a moment to simply watch her, taking in the sight of her in the moonlight, the way it highlighted the contours of her face and cast her in a soft glow. It was a rare opportunity to see Anastasia unguarded, removed from the context of their usual interactions.

He felt an odd pang of guilt for intruding. She looked... peaceful, or at least as close to peaceful as someone like Anastasia Gaunt could get. The last thing he wanted was to disturb her, to shatter whatever fragile calm she'd found in the quiet of the tower.

But he'd already come this far.

James took a slow step forward, careful to make his presence known without startling her. His trainers scuffed lightly against the stone, the sound impossibly loud in the stillness.

"Beautiful night," he said finally, breaking the silence, his voice gentle in the quiet of the tower. It was an innocuous statement, but one laden with an unspoken acknowledgment of the vulnerability and trust involved in this meeting.