A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 16: The Astronomy Tower

Anastasia didn't respond immediately, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the stone floor. She felt the weight of his words, the honesty in them, and it unsettled her in a way she couldn't quite name. But instead of pushing him away, instead of sharpening her words into a weapon like she normally would, she let herself relax. Just this once.

She let her head fall back against the cool stone, her gaze returning to the stars. "I guess I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to," she said quietly, the words slipping out before she could reconsider.

James straightened slightly, his expression brightening, though he tried to temper his reaction. "Alright then," he said, settling back against the wall. "I'll try not to disturb the view."

"You already are," Anastasia quipped softly, her voice lacking its usual bite.

James laughed, the sound warm and easy in the still night air. "Fair enough," he said, leaning his head back to look up at the sky. 

She didn't respond, the corners of her mouth twitching faintly. The quiet between them stretched, comfortable and light, as the stars glittered above and the world around them seemed to fade.

For once, Anastasia didn't mind the company. And James? He thought he'd never been happier to lose to the stars.

James lowered himself to the floor beside her, lying back so that his gaze aligned with hers, mirroring her position as they both looked up at the ceiling of the Astronomy Tower, a poor substitute for the stars but a shared canopy nonetheless. He leaned back on his hands, his hazel eyes occasionally drifting to her as she lay on her back, her gaze fixed on the night sky. The pale moonlight softened her sharp features, making her look almost serene.

He was quiet for a while, content to let the silence stretch, though his thoughts churned with questions he dared not ask. The way she looked right now—relaxed, at peace—it felt fragile, like something that might shatter if he spoke too loudly or moved too abruptly.

"You're being very... delicate tonight, Potter," Anastasia said suddenly, her voice low and laced with faint amusement. She didn't turn her head, but the slight curve of her lips betrayed her teasing.

James blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"You're usually so..." She hesitated, as if searching for the right word. "Forward."

He flushed, his face growing warm despite the cool night air. "Well," he said, clearing his throat, "I figured I'd try a different approach. Didn't want to, uh... scare you off or anything."

"Hmm," Anastasia murmured, her tone almost playful, though her voice carried a distinct weariness. "Not so forward after all."

James huffed a quiet laugh, running a hand through his hair. "You're one to talk. You're looking pretty relaxed yourself."

She didn't respond right away, her eyes still fixed on the stars. Her expression was unreadable, but the tension he was so used to seeing in her posture seemed to have melted away, leaving her softer, quieter.

After a while, James ventured, "Why are you still awake?" His tone was gentle, as if he didn't expect an answer but wanted to give her the space to offer one if she chose.

Anastasia didn't look at him, her gaze still on the sky. "Too many thoughts," she said simply, her voice flat but not cold.

James smiled faintly. "Ah, see, this is why I sleep so well. Not a single thought up there." He tapped his temple lightly, his grin widening.

The corner of Anastasia's mouth twitched upward, but she didn't say anything. The air between them settled into an easy quiet, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of the wind through the open tower.