A Broken Inheritance

Chapter 61: Breaking and Entering

Sirius grinned, already halfway to standing. "Deal."

"And you better have something worth saying, Black," James called after him. "You're risking both our lives here."

Sirius turned at the portrait hole, smirk already in place.

"Don't worry, I've got a whole monologue prepped and ready for her."

And with that, he disappeared into the hallway.

***

The Slytherin dungeons had always unsettled Sirius.

It wasn't the shadows or the cold stone, or even the way the green flames danced unnaturally in their sconces—it was the silence. Gryffindor was all mess and noise and warmth. The Slytherin common room felt like something breathing under water.

"Every time I come down here," Sirius muttered from under the Invisibility Cloak, "I feel like I'm about to be eaten by a painting."

"Keep your voice down," James hissed. "You'll wake half the House."

They slipped through the common room, soundless and invisible, the usual detritus of Slytherin life strewn with surgical precision—neat books, polished shoes, glinting cufflinks on windowsills. It wasn't the first time they'd snuck in—sixth year had seen an entire week of transfigured dormitory furniture and a brief infestation of purple frogs—but this felt different.

Higher stakes.

Not a prank. Not a game.

James paused outside her door, pulling the Cloak tighter over them both. He raised a fist, knocked once. Twice.

He gave Sirius a glance. "Ready?"

"Not remotely."

The door creaked open.

Anastasia stood in the centre of her room, barefoot, a book folded open in one hand. Her eyes scanned the empty corridor, then landed on the subtle shimmer of the Cloak. "I didn't think you were coming tonight."

James stepped forward and pulled the hood off.

"Yeah, well. Change of plans."

The moment she saw Sirius's figure emerge behind him, her expression went still.

A few degrees colder.

She looked at James. "What's going on?"

James looked instantly like he regretted every decision that led him to this moment. "I know. I'm sorry. I just—listen. Just hear him out, alright?"

"James."

"I know," he said again, backing away already, "I'm going. You two—sort it out."

And then, like the coward he was tonight, he yanked the cloak over his head and vanished.

Anastasia closed the door with a soft click. She turned to Sirius, arms folded, gaze unreadable.

"So," she said. "Secret ambush. Breaking and entering."

"Technically," Sirius said, "just entering."

She stared.

He coughed. "Okay. Breaking and entering."

She raised an eyebrow. "And to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Sirius looked around, awkwardly. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocking slightly on the balls of his feet.

"Everything alright?" she asked after a pause. The tone was casual, indifferent. Almost bored.

He frowned. "I don't know. Is everything alright?"