That evening, Ginny sat in the Gryffindor common room by the fireplace, as Harry told a shocked Ron and Hermione what Ginny had told him.
"Dumbledore! Inform Professor Dumbledore!" The two of them were quick to suggest. Harry shrugged and gave Ginny a look that plainly told Ron and Hermione that Harry had suggested this to Ginny back in the broom cupboard.
Harry stood up and moved to sit on Ginny's armchair by her. Slightly trembling, he held her hand. Her only response was turning towards him as though she had made a tough decision and nodded. She felt better only at Harry's warm embrace,
Saturday morning saw Harry, an arm around Ginny, leading her to Dumbledore's office. They didn't have to worry about the password, as Snape was standing right there.
"Mr. Potter? Ms. Weasley? What brings to the two of you here this early?" He said, looking a little disappointed. Harry noticed how Snape had suddenly gripped his left arm and winced slightly.
Dumbledore seemed to be rather busy. He called all the three inside at once. Although his voice was as calm as ever, it was no mistaking that he did not have all day to wait and listen to each one individually. Snape was the first to understand. He merely pointed to his left arm, nodded at Dumbledore, and left the office as Dumbledore looked as though that was the end of the world.
"Yes, Ms. Weasley, and Mr. Potter?" He asked almost suddenly. Ginny sat on the chair, evidently distraught, and explained between sobs how a dairy similar to the one she wrote in during her first year at Hogwarts kept appearing in her dreams, how Tom Riddle would suddenly walk out of it, transfigure into a cobra, and attack her. She said she could feel someone within her, trying to destroy her, coaxing her to do unthinkable evil. Her recurring nightmares about Tom Riddle were there in her second year at Hogwarts, but had increased manifold during her third year at Hogwarts,
"I see. Looking at how things are going, I am sure that these visions will not make life any easier for you. You'll soon find yourself in need of a trusted friend who you can confide in. Of course, you can confide in me. Do you have someone at Hogwarts you're comfortable with?' Dumbledore asked.
Ginny could see Harry at her side with her peripheral vision and nodded. Dumbledore seemed to read her mind and looked straight into Harry's eyes.
"There's something I need to tell you, Harry. First, she trusts you and will need you more than ever. Second, you too need someone you trust, and I'm not mistaken when I think you have them unless Mr. Weasley, Ms. Weasley and Ms. Granger aren't those on your mind."
Harry nodded. Dumbledore continued, " Do you know why your parents were killed? There was a prophecy revolving around you, Voldemort and Neville. At the end of the seventh month, the boy born to parents who thrice defied him, who has powers the Dark Lord knows not, will be the Chosen One, and the Dark Lord will himself choose him. Either must die at the hands of the other. Voldemort chose you instead of Neville, so he went after your parents. He couldn't kill you and ended up as a spirit. Meanwhile, four of his Death Eaters tortured Neville's parents into insanity! They were sentenced to Azkaban, but the damage was done, and to this day, Alice and Frank Longbottom live in St Mungos, having no idea who they are, who their son is, or how much they are he has grown. Neville lives with his grandmother."
Harry was shocked and barely registered tears blocking his vision or the silent sobs of Ginny, who was equally shocked. But Dumbledore continued, "He gave a part of himself unknowingly to you that night in Godric's Hollow, Harry. Lily Potter sacrificed her life to save you, thus protecting your life from him. He should've died that night, Harry, but there's something I suspect is keeping him alive. Two years back, when you saved Ginny Weasley from the Chamber of Secrets, you gave me this dairy." He held the same dairy that kept appearing in Ginny's dreams. She sobbed harder and clutched tightly to Harry's arm.
Dumbledore explained, "Ginny, this is the reason you're seeing those visions. Not only Harry, but you also have something that belongs to Voldemort. Harry, Ginny, come to my office tonight at eight. We can't delay this. The more we put this off, the worse the possible outcomes would be! For now, I suggest you both take some rest. Harry, I know I've shared a lot of information with you and Ginny. If you ever want to discuss these details, I permit you to share it ONLY with those you trust deeply."
Harry immediately said, "Ron and Hermione."
Dumbledore smiled, "I trust Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger. However, do not tell them or anybody about Neville's parents until Neville himself is ready to. One more thing. Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley will also have to give their word that they will not be confiding these details with anyone. Ms. Weasley here will be joining you in every lesson I call you, Harry."
"We give our word! This will remain confidential!" Ron and Hermione said in the chorus as they sat with Harry and Ginny in a far corner of the Gryffindor common room. At eight, he informed them that he would personally be teaching them Occlumency.