A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 16: The Astronomy Tower

Anastasia turned at the sound of his voice, her expression one of mild surprise that quickly shifted to guarded neutrality. "Potter," she acknowledged, her tone cautious. "What are you doing here?"

"I saw you were up here, thought you might like some company," James replied, striving to keep his voice even, to convey his presence as a gesture of friendship rather than intrusion. "But if you'd rather be alone, I understand."

The moment hung between them, charged with the potential for connection or rejection. James's offer, extended with genuine concern and a hope for understanding, awaited Anastasia's response, a response that held the power to define the nature of their relationship moving forward.

Under the softened glow of the moonlight filtering through the Astronomy Tower, Anastasia's actions took James by surprise. She gracefully descended to the floor, her back resting against the cool stone, her gaze shifting to meet his. "Spying on me again so soon, Potter?" she asked, a hint of amusement threading through her voice, softer and more open than the usual sharpness he had come to expect from her.

James, taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor, let out a chuckle, the tension of the moment easing slightly. "Actually, yes, I was," he admitted, deciding that honesty, however unexpected, might serve better than deflection. He moved to sit beside her, maintaining a respectful distance, his eyes adjusting to the dim light as he sought to read her expression.

Anastasia raised an eyebrow, "Becoming quite the habit." The usual barriers between them, fortified by years of rivalry and misunderstanding, seemed momentarily less insurmountable.

"Couldn't help myself," James attempted to shrug casually, although his voice was laced with a sincerity that underscored his words. "After... after everything that happened earlier, I wanted to make sure you were okay. That you weren't out here alone with nothing but the stars for company."

Her gaze lingered on him, assessing, as if trying to decipher the motives behind his actions. Anastasia's lips curved faintly, though she didn't look at him. "And what if I was? What if I preferred the stars to the company of a boy who can't decide if he's a friend or a foe?"

James chuckled, a low, self-deprecating sound. "Then I'd say you have every right to prefer the stars," he said softly. "But for all it's worth... I'm not your foe."

"Noted," Anastasia murmured, her voice carrying an edge of faint amusement.

"I don't think my company's as good as the stars," he began, his voice carrying a hint of humor mixed with an underlying earnestness, "but would you have me?"

Anastasia turned her head slightly, her dark eyes meeting his. Her gaze was calm, her expression unreadable as she studied him. "You want to stay?" she asked, her voice quiet but steady.

James hesitated for a moment, his grin softening into something gentler. "Only if you want me to," he replied. "Not that I'm trying to compete with the stars. Tough act to follow, I hear."

A small, fleeting smile ghosted across Anastasia's lips before she turned her gaze back to the sky. For a moment, the only sound was the faint rustling of the wind through the open tower.

"I don't know why you'd want to," she said finally, her voice so low it was almost swallowed by the night. "Stay, I mean."

James tilted his head, his eyes still fixed on her. "Because you're here," he said simply.

Anastasia huffed softly, shaking her head. "That's not much of a reason, Potter."

"It's enough for me," James replied, and there was no teasing in his voice now, just quiet sincerity.