American Royalty III

Part 30: Very Much Alive

The halls of Hogwarts were quieter than usual as Christmas approached, the castle steadily emptying as students departed for the holidays. Thalia stalked through the stone corridors, her boots echoing faintly on the flagstones as she made her way toward the Demigod Common Room for lunch. Her mind wandered, preoccupied with thoughts of their group and how Kit, against all odds, seemed to be piecing herself back together little by little.

Rounding a corner near one of the lesser-used passages, Thalia froze mid-step. Voices drifted from the hallway ahead, sharp and low, carrying a sinister tone. Instinctively, she pressed herself flat against the cold stone wall, her senses sharpening.

The clipped, unmistakable drawl of Severus Snape cut through the air.
"...and you're certain she's dead?" His voice was icy, each word precise.

Alecto Carrow's harsh laughter followed. "Oh, there's no question about it. The state she was in? The little princess didn't stand a chance."

"Exactly," added Amycus, his tone cruel and self-satisfied. "We saw her ourselves—barely clinging to life. If she escaped, she wouldn't have lasted long."

Thalia clenched her fists at her sides, her stormy blue eyes narrowing as she strained to catch every word. Her breathing slowed, her sharp ears picking up on every syllable.

"And what does the Dark Lord believe?" Snape's voice came again, measured but with an edge of something unreadable.

There was a brief pause before Alecto replied, her voice dripping with glee. "The princess's body was recovered. No doubt about it. She's gone, and the Dark Lord is satisfied. To be honest, I don't understand why he bothered keeping her alive for so long. She hardly spoke. Never gave us anything useful."

"I always said they should've killed her from the beginning," Amycus muttered darkly. "Dragging it out was pointless. And royal blood? Bah! A crime like that would've made a statement."

"What does it matter now?" Alecto snapped, clearly annoyed. "The brat's dead, and the public doesn't even know she was taken in the first place. Most of them think she was summoned back to America for business. They'll believe anything they're told."

Thalia's lips twitched into a smirk, though her fists remained tight. Idiots. Let them gloat. Let them think they've won. Kit was alive and recovering in the very castle they prowled through.

She waited a few beats as their voices grew fainter, the Carrows continuing their conversation as they moved down the corridor. Once the coast was clear, Thalia straightened, her heart pounding with adrenaline but her smirk firmly in place.

By the time she reached the painting that hid the entrance to the Demigod Common Room, her mind was racing with how she'd relay this little tidbit to the others. "Password," the painting demanded lazily.

"Stormbreaker," she muttered, and the painting swung open to reveal the warm, inviting space inside.

The cozy common room was already buzzing with the comfortable noise of her friends. A long table by the hearth was filled with food that the house-elves had brought up for them—platters of sandwiches, bowls of warm soup, and a selection of pastries that gave the room a homey, festive scent.

Connor was lounging on one of the couches, tossing a small rubber ball up and down as Percy and Annabeth sat nearby, deep in conversation. Hazel and Frank were at the table, arranging plates and bowls.

Thalia sauntered in, letting the door swing shut behind her. Connor glanced up first, noting her expression.

"What's got you looking like the cat that caught the canary?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Thalia smirked, crossing to the table and snagging an apple. "Oh, nothing," she said, her voice deliberately casual as she bit into the fruit. "Just overheard Snape and the Carrows talking about how Kit's definitely dead."

The room froze. Percy shot up straighter, his green eyes flashing with alarm. "What?"

Thalia raised a hand, waving him down as she strolled to a chair and perched on the armrest. "Relax, Seaweed Brain. They're completely convinced. Something about her 'body being recovered.' The Carrows think she's long gone, and Snape didn't exactly argue. I didn't even bother correcting them."

Annabeth's gray eyes sharpened, a calculating look settling on her face. "They actually think she's dead? They're not even suspicious?"

"Not a bit," Thalia replied, finishing her apple and tossing the core into the fireplace. It hit the flames with a sizzle, sending up a faint wisp of smoke. "They're so sure of themselves. It's almost funny."

Connor chuckled darkly, the corners of his mouth curling into a grin. "I'd pay to see their faces when they figure out she's still kicking. And right under their noses."

Hazel, sitting primly at the table, gave a small, thoughtful smile. "Imagine their surprise. I almost feel bad for them."

"Don't," Thalia said, kicking her boots up onto the table. Annabeth's disapproving glare was immediate, but Thalia ignored it with ease. "Let them think they've won. It'll make it that much sweeter when they realize they haven't."

Frank, always the voice of caution, placed a plate of sandwiches down and folded his arms. "We should still be careful. They might not know now, but if they put the pieces together—"

Annabeth held up a hand, cutting him off. "Frank, I understand your concern, but if they have a body they have no reason to believe Kit could possibly be alive. We can use this. If they're convinced Kit's dead, we have the element of surprise. That's an advantage we can't waste."

As if summoned by her name, Kit emerged from her room, her hair slightly tousled, wearing one of Connor's hoodies that was far too big for her. Behind her, Rocky padded faithfully at her heels, the dog's tail wagging lazily. He had hardly left her side in days.

"What are you all talking about?" Kit asked, plucking a sandwich from the table and flopping onto the couch next to Connor. Rocky promptly curled up at her feet.

"You being dead," Percy deadpanned, his tone flat but laced with just enough humor to earn a small laugh from Hazel.

Kit blinked, mid-bite. "Oh. Cool." She chewed thoughtfully, then gestured with her sandwich. "So, are we celebrating my untimely demise, or...?"

"Basically," Connor said, slinging an arm over the back of the couch and giving her a teasing grin. "You're the best ghost we've ever had. Really haunting the Carrows' nightmares."

"I aim to please," Kit replied, smirking as she took another bite. "But seriously, if they think I'm dead, that's good for us, right?"

"Very good," Annabeth said, her tone firm. "It gives us room to move without them keeping an eye on you. They'll focus their energy elsewhere, and that's exactly what we need."

Thalia leaned back, her hands laced behind her head, her grin as sharp as ever. "Like I said—let them think they've won. They won't know what hit them."