Hime Jou Nai

Princess of the Dead

(and Other Lovers in Hogwarts)

Disclaimer: All things you don't recognize belong either to JK Rowling, or Garth Nix.

Prologue: Replacement

"But, why am I being replaced, Albus?" In two years, Minerva McGonnagal had never stopped asking her former lover and best friend for advice, despite the fact that he was very, very dead. Most of the ins and outs of running the school she still left to him, despite her position as official Headmistress.

She was beginning to wonder if Dumbledore hadn't begun to lose his wits, being only a portrait, and a dead one, at that.

"Minerva," Albus Dumbledore's portrait murmured soothingly, "you are not being replaced. You are still the Headmistress, you are still the Transfigurations Professor, and you are still very dear to me. You are not being replaced. Never that."

Dumbledore's portrait watched as Minerva McGonnagal swept her long, loose, silver hair over her shoulder and out of her eyes, a regal, queenly gesture. She removed her elegant, gold-framed glasses and cleaned the tear-formed fog from their lenses on her dark green nightgown. She looked heart broken.

The Headmaster continued somewhat softly, voice heavy with sadness, "However, I can no longer allow you to be a stand-alone Headmistress. You need a Deputy Headmistress or Headmaster. Someone to take over Gryffindor House."

"But why, Albus?"

"Politics, dearest Minerva. Simple politics. Many outsiders, those who were once students, and others, are thinking that perhaps you are favoring Gryffindor House, and therefor favoring Harry, by being Head of House and Headmistress. I would tell them to go sit on their thumbs and whistle 'Zippetty-Doo-Dah,' but the other teachers and many of the students- in fact, almost all but the Gryffindors, - are also complaining. You have no choice. Or, rather, you have little choice.

"And, there is something coming towards the school. Something dangerous. I have a feeling... more of them are coming. Something is going to happen today, but worse things will follow. Someone in a high position would be able to handle it... in any special circumstances, without drawing much attention, or having people ask too many questions. I also can't tell you anything about it. You understand, of course."

"Of course. Then, may I designate who I believe should be Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House in my place?"

"I will quite seriously consider your suggestion."

"The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." McGonnagal looked rather nonplussed when Dumbledore smiled. "What? What did I say?"

"Hikaru was just the witch I had in mind. Although, I feel sorry for what will happen when Severus meets her. He'll be rather upset at missing the DADA position again."

"I'm surprised you can still speak to Severus anymore, much less worry about him. And besides, Hikaru will be able to take him down, don't worry, Albus." The old Headmaster's eyes drifted closed, and he pinched the bridge of his nose as if trying to ward off a headache.

"What did I say this time?"

"You know Severus was only following the plan."

"I know that any member of the Order worth anything would have found another way. He didn't have to make that Unbreakable Vow-"

"Minerva. Now is not the time. We must consider how Hikaru will feel, coming into a work environment so young, an environment full of hostilities."

"She's a skilled Auror, Albus-"

"Oh, I don't doubt it. As for the DADA job, she, more than anyone else, is most qualified for the position. What with her no longer being 'In Waiting,' as she used to be. But she is still a young woman, and inexperienced in the ways of Hogwarts life."

At any other moment, Minerva would have agreed, he had no doubt, but she was still stuck on the one thing that rang in her ears.

"She's no longer In Waiting? I thought she was... whatever happened to Misaki... oh. Oh, Albus." Minerva's brilliant, violet eyes filled with tears. "Oh, no. Misaki died?"