As she sat in the corner of the common room and had nothing better to do, Ginny pulled the old diary that she had found on the train out of her bag and wrote 'Property of Ginny Weasley' on the front page.

Letters appeared in elegant handwriting, 'Hello, Ginny. I'm pleased to meet you. I'd just like to say that I am Tom Marvolo Riddle and that I am not anyone's property thank you.'

Ginny flew out of her seat. She wasn't expecting that. After she had finished writing, the words disappeared into the page. Shaking, she wrote more:

'What are you?'

More writing appeared, 'A memory. Just a memory left in a diary.'

'How old are you?'

'15.'

'I'm only 11. I was wondering if you could help me with my homework.'

'Ginny, I can help you with anything.'

Ginny could feel a pulling sensation in her chest, as if the book had invisible tentacles that were drawing her in.

The first two weeks at Hogwarts had been good. Harry had the vague hope that maybe - just maybe - he would have a normal year at school without interruption. He knew it wasn't going to happen though.

Ron was happy that Ginny had been sorted into Gryffindor during the sorting ceremony. The very last Weasley child was officially a Gryffindor – what else would she be?

Over the last couple of weeks his visions did not change. He thought the diary would be gone once he threw it away but maybe not. He had no doubt that the girl in the puddle of water was definitely Ginny. He should have given it to Dumbledore, Snape or another adult who would know what to do with it. Someone else might have taken it. He felt like an idiot.

After class had finished that afternoon, Harry sat himself underneath a tree near the edge of the forbidden forest. He had become accustom to doing this most days to avoid the whispers of other students either pointing out his scar or talk about what might have happened in the forbidden corridor last year.

Ironically, Dumbledore had transformed the third floor corridor into a study area that was usually inhabited by older fifth or seventh year scholars who were already studying for their exams. Once the corridor was forbidden to all those who did not want to die a painful death, now it was forbidden to all those who did not want death stares or snarls from stressed out students.

As Harry sat underneath the tree he once again attempted the strenuous task of trying to read 'Wanderings with Werewolves.' He understood that school books were hardly, if ever, interesting books but Gilderoy Lockhart's books were just rubbish. At least the adventure books he read in childhood were written with a decent hero. The writing in Lockhart's books was terrible enough to make him feel sick especially when you considered decadent way that Lockhart portrayed himself. Harry couldn't care less about Lockhart's favourite colour or that he claimed that his ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic people. He had no idea what Hermione and many other witches like her really saw in him. Harry doubted that Lockhart did any of the things in his novels.

But at least with Lockhart's books, if you weren't interested you could simply shut them and walk away. In person, Lockhart was obnoxious and unavoidable. He always made Harry participate in embarrassing skits in front of class and frequently gave him unwanted advice on how to deal with fame. Ron, himself and the other boys in the class used their DADA lessons to muck around.

Within about fifteen hard minutes of trying to read, Harry fell asleep underneath the tree. He was woken up by someone or something poking at his cheek.

"Sorry to bother you, Harry Evans." It was Dobby, "But we have a problem."

"How the heck did you get here?"

"House elves can apparate within Hogwarts, Harry Evans."

Harry shoved the book into his bag carelessly and sat up, "What can I help you with Dobby?"

"I can't say. Dobby should have not let Harry Evans return to school."

Harry groaned, "So you woke me up to tell me that you have a problem but you can't tell me what it is?"

Dobby whimpered and wiped his nose on his dirty robes.

"The school is not safe, 'it' is here. Everybody must be careful."

Harry needed no explanation about what he meant. It was the diary. He didn't want Dobby to start hurting himself again.

"Thank you, Dobby."

The elf then clicked his fingers and made a potion vile appear before them. Its content had a pleasant light blue glow and the liquid swirled inside.

"It's Calming Draught. Dobby has noticed that Harry had been having trouble sleeping."

Harry frowned, "You've been watching me while I was sleeping? Please don't do that."

The House elf disappeared with a crack with an expression of embarrassment on his face.

Harry glanced behind him to see a blonde first year Ravenclaw girl staring in shock. She had her wand behind her ear and wore a necklace that looked like it was made from turnips. He hoped that she had not heard too much.

"Sorry," She shouted, "I was just visiting Thestrals when I bumped into you talking to someone."

"What 'thestrals'?" He shouted, thinking about the large, morbid-looking winged horses that he had read about in books. Apparently only people who had seen death could see them.

"They live in the forest and pull the sleighs into Hogwarts. They're really nice you know. I swear I haven't been stalking you like some other people have been."

He frowned, he was not happy to hear that other people had been stalking him. He could deal with Dobby doing it, other students he could not.

"I'm sorry that I have upset you." The girl called.

"I'm not angry at you." Harry replied.

"So how are you? You're the first person who has talked to me today."

'She's an odd one.' He thought, but replied in a friendly way "I'm alright. What is your name?"

"Luna, Luna Lovegood. My father is the editor for the Quibbler."

"It's been nice to meet you, Luna."

Harry stood up and put his bag on shoulder. He thought that he should find Hermione and Ron; it was getting close to dinner time. He had no idea how long he had been asleep.

"Do you like snakes?" she asked.

"I don't mind them." Harry remembered back to Dudley's birthday and the boa, "Hey, I'm sorry to leave but I should be meeting Ron and Hermione for dinner."

"Ok, it was nice to talk." She said with a small wave and then disappeared back into the forest.

Harry walked back to the castle; he wasn't sure what to think about either Dobby or Luna.

Dumbledore, Severus, McGonagall and Hagrid sat around a round table in a closed off section of the castle. A place unknown to students and most of the staff, it was where Dumbledore conducted his most secret of meetings. There were no portraits to overhear them in this room and it was easier for Dumbledore to check for eavesdropping spells or any other charms that would compromise their secrecy. After what had happened with Quirrell last year, it became apparent to Dumbledore that he needed more than Severus. What had happened to Harry was not going to be an isolated incident. It was not a matter of if or really how but when. The professors who had been in the Order of the Phoenix before were now called together again with the addition of Severus. This was a time where they could say whatever needed to be said, secretkeeper charms prevented them from speaking or writing about anything said here outside meetings.

Severus rolled his eyes at Dumbledore, "You mean to say, that we have to put up with the imbecile for a whole year?"

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and nodded, "Yes, I want to establish that Lockhart is a fraud and I want to prove it to the rest of Wizarding Society. I also want to know who he is leeching his achievements from. Many of the actions described in the books have actually happened."

"He certainly isn't clever enough to have imagined all of the events himself," Hagrid added, "I have also found plenty errors in the novels as well. There is no way any fool would be able to sing a werewolf into submission, no matter how experienced with the creatures."

"Well, I'm concerned that the students aren't getting a proper education," Professor McGonagall exclaimed, "I remember him at Hogwarts. He was a silly fellow who was overly full of himself. He had no real talent or brilliance. It is a mystery to me how he got into Ravenclaw and has achieved an Order of Merlin third class."

Severus sighed, "The Order of Merlin third class is awarded for knowledge or entertainment, in his case entertainment. This award is determined strongly by public vote and we all know most of the public are absolute idiots. So is Fudge who awarded it to him."

Hagrid chuckled, "Isn't that the truth?"

Minerva was not amused, "I really feel like the students need a good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, one that doesn't have Voldemort welded on the back of his head."

This comment stung Severus. It was no secret that he had always wanted to be a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Severus had a lifetime of experience in the subject and he knew he could teach the subject well. It was frustrating that Albus would not let him have the position. Was the old man so afraid that he would return back to his former Death Eater self? However, he knew that it was sensible for Albus to not to completely trust him.

Dumbledore just shook his head and shrugged, "This is a last resort, Minerva. If he doesn't prove his capabilities here, then we can out him to the public as a fraud. He'll be gone by next year regardless."

"But-" she stammered.

"That is final. Now, I also need to cover about what is happening in regards to Lucius. I believe he has been trying to bully the governors into having me removed from the school."

Hagrid growled, "Fat chance. It'll take a lot more than bullying of the governors to get rid of you. He'd be planning something bigger. He's maybe an old Death Eater and general dickhead but he's rich and clever enough to do calculated harm."

"Yes, I do think he is planning something." Severus said bluntly, "I have not had contact with him in recent months but I do believe he is displeased with you being his son's headmaster. That's what I hear from some of the old Death Eaters I still have contact with."

Dumbledore nodded again and frowned, "We will have to keep a close eye on it. In other news, I find most of the students are settling in well for a new school year."

"- The last Weasley is a Gryffindor." Hagrid smiled.

"Pandora's daughter has been having a hard time settling in," Minerva said sadly, "I wish there was something we could do, and especially given everything Pandora has done for the Order back in the old dark days. I have talked to Flitwick and he has tried to help her but it will be an upstream battle for her to make friends."

Severus shook his head, "Luna is reasonably intelligent and is quite imaginative. However, she has poor social skills, is slow to pick up on social cues and has odd, restricted interests. She will never be particularly well liked with her peers. I would know. It doesn't help at all that she is a parselmouth."

"Well, I never expected that." Dumbledore said, "I would just be on the lookout for bullies. I feel like we have a important duty uphold in her mother's memory."

They all nodded.

"There is something else but it can wait until later," Severus said shaky, "It involves Harry Evans…"

"You can tell all of us," Minerva said sternly, "We all need to be on the same page."

Severus wished Dumbledore had just kept with their one-on-one meetings instead of a group,"When I picked Harry up from his relatives, it seems as if he has been having visions. These various snapshots such as an old diary, Lucius Malfoy, what looks like Ginny Weasley unconscious in a pool of water and a phoenix with a sword. These visions cause him some distress. I believe he maybe a seer."

"In that case, I believe he can take over Trelawney's job. I bet he will be a better teacher, not that it would be difficult to achievement to unlock." Minerva said with a huff. It annoyed Severus a bit that both Minerva and Hagrid tended to use these secret meetings as a complaint session but they always got everything they needed to say said.

"I wonder who he could have inherited that from?" Hagrid said. Severus knew that it was a dig at him.

"Severus," Dumbledore said, "This changes everything."

A/N: Luna in my fanfic has Aspergers, although they have no such diagnosis in the magical world.