A/N As usual, I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does and I'm just playing in her sandbox. And no, that's not a euphemism and anyone who went "Ooh er!" gets a virtual clip around the ear. 😊

The quote about true family is from the book 'Illusions' by Richard Bach.

Oh, this chapter deserves a rating for suggestive language. I will admit to being a Princess Bride fan.

One of the people following the story said he was anxious to see what happened. Since it was too hot and sticky to do much else, I wrote this chapter today. I've got to say, it just about wrote itself and I've had a blast. :)

Previously…

"I DON'T NEED OR WANT YOUR HELP! AND I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT YOU CHANGING ME TO SUIT YOUR AGENDA. STAY AWAY FROM ME!" With that Harry stood up, walked out and slammed the door behind him.

Hermione simply sat in her chair and sobbed feeling like her entire world had collapsed. 'What have I done?'

The following morning, it was obvious something had happened as instead of sitting together, Harry and Hermione were almost at opposite ends of the table. Harry looked sullen and unhappy, while Hermione could simply be described as haggard, she appeared to have had no sleep at all and aged about 10 years.

Right at one end of the table, Ron looked at the pair and muttered to himself. "Time to make that mudblood bitch mine." Having finished his breakfast, he hurried up to get some things from his trunk before heading to the owlery, not realising that his comment had been overheard by Lavender who followed him unobtrusively.

It being a Sunday, Ginny and Luna grabbed Hermione and went somewhere quiet to sit down and discuss what had happened to so dramatically change Harry's and her relationship.

After a complete explanation over a couple of hours that included many more tears from the brunette witch, Ginny stared at her. "Hermione, I'm sorry about what has happened, but I can't believe you tried something like that with Harry."

"What do you mean? The technique should work." Sniffed Hermione.

"Yes, it probably would, but NOT from you! When I saw a mind healer after the Chamber of Secrets, I was chatting after a session with her. I said she must be popular with her friends and family being able to help them. She laughed and said you can't because the healer needs to be uninvolved and that's impossible with close friends or family. She even said she had asked the top people in the field about it and they all basically said the same thing…'Good luck!'"

Hermione burst into tears again and ran off.

Luna went to follow, but Ginny stopped her. "She needs some alone time now."

"Ginny, don't you think it was a little harsh?" Said Luna.

"Yes, but I needed to make sure she never tries it again."

"How do we help them?"

"I'm too close to Harry to really say anything that would help on this, same reason as Hermione." Sighed the red-head.

"Why don't I try? I know what it's like to be alone. After I watched my mother die unable to do anything I felt useless too."

"Are you sure you're not too close to Harry?"

"No, people think I'm loony anyway…" said Luna with a smile.

Hermione lay on a transfigured couch in an old classroom in an unused part of the castle her thoughts going in circles. 'How do I say I'm sorry if he won't even look at me, let alone talk to me?' All her plans lay in ruins as she felt Harry would never trust her even remotely.

Harry had been sitting in his favourite hiding spot under the tree on the other side of the lake since breakfast when Luna sat down beside him. Before he could mention that he wasn't good company right now and ask her to leave, she spoke.

"Harry Potter, why do you feel everyone in the world has the right to love except you?"

Everything Harry was going to say was derailed at that point. He was completely confused as he tried to think of a coherent reply. After a minute or so of silence as he tried to process her question, he eventually asked weakly, "Could you please repeat that?"

"I said, why do you feel everyone in the world has the right to love except you?"

"I don't think that!"

"Harry, I didn't say think, I said feel!"

"What's the difference?"

"The difference Harry is that you feel with your heart, not your head. After my mother died, some kids in the village who didn't like me started saying it that her death was my fault."

"But that's crazy, you were only 9!"

"I know, but after a while, I started to hear the Nargles in my head, whispering to me that it was true, and then I felt it in my heart."

"Luna, you couldn't have done anything, it was an accident!"

"I know that now Harry, but not then…. But I made the Nargles go away eventually."

"How did you do that?"

"Oh, I stopped listening to them and whenever they spoke I would listen to my imaginary pet Unicorn instead. She always says nice things about me." Luna smiled dreamily.

Harry boggled a bit at that 'Only Luna' he thought. However what she had said did resonant with him. 'My Nargles are named Vernon, Petunia and Dudley.'

"Why are you thinking about your Nargles, Harry?"

'How does she do that?' Harry thought. "Because I don't know what to replace them with."

"You need a happy voice to replace them then. How about Hedwig?"

Harry felt a small wrench in his gut at the mention of his fallen friend. "No, that would be too painful."

"How about Fawkes?"

"No, I'm not worthy of Fawkes and I don't know what he would sound like anyway."

"He wouldn't have saved you in the Chamber of Secrets if you weren't worthy."

"No, I'm not the same person I was then." Replied dejectedly.

"That's right, you are much better! Why do you listen to the voices of the people who hate you instead of the people who like you?"

"No I'm not better, I'm_"

Suddenly there was a flash of flame and a beautiful song filled the air, lifting even Harry's spirits. With a flash of red feathers, a majestic bird landed on a branch of the tree.

"Fawkes!" Harry gasped.

Looking into the bird's eyes, Harry suddenly heard a voice in his head. 'Heed your nest mate, nestling.'

"Luna? She's not my sister."

'The bonds that link your true family are not ones of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's lives. She tells you truth, why do you not listen?'

Harry sighed "I'll try."

'There is no try, nestling, there is only do or do not!'

"Great, now he's are channelling Yoda" Harry mumbled, still not really believing him.

Harry then experienced what felt like a sigh from Fawkes. The bird flew to Harry's shoulder, leaned over his head and allowed tears to escape onto the top of Harry's head.

'You know young one that I would not be here if you were unworthy. This is my gift to you… Hear my voice and know you are worthy of love, happiness and much more…. I cannot stay now, but call me to you if your need is great.' With that, Fawkes leapt into the air and with another flash of flame, was gone.

As the tears soaked into Harry's scalp, he felt a sense of peace and happiness. Tears rolled down his face as he felt the uncertainty and self-doubt that had plagued his life leave him. Luna drew him to her and held him as slowly Harry relaxed and healed.

Meanwhile, at lunch in the great hall, Lavender Brown was anything but relaxed. Ron had received a package by owl and with what could only be described as an evil smile, had left the great hall. Again, Lavender followed as Ron went to his dorm room and then left about 15 minutes later with what looked like a wrapped present ready for delivery by owl. Going up to his dorm, Lavender looked around and spotted the package wrapping in the bin. Grabbing it, she saw that it was from an apothecary in Knockturn alley. Reaching inside the torn wrapping she found a receipt made out to Ron, when she read it, her face paled and she raced out of the dorm.

After Harry had recovered, he looked at Luna somewhat red-faced. "Luna, I'm sor_."

"Don't be embarrassed Harry, you heard Fawkes, you are my brother." She said with a gentle smile.

"Then….thank you sister!" Harry said with a fierce hug and once they separated they began to walk towards the castle, both with a lightened heart.

Hermione heard tapping on the window and looked up to see a school owl. Curious, she opened the window and untied the parcel from the owl who immediately left for the Owlery. Opening the package she found a note in what looked like Harry's normal unreadable scrawl.

Hermione,

I'm sorry, I've been a git. Please have these chocolates.

Harry

It was like the sun came out as Hermione's smile lit the room. "YES!" she screamed. She then immediately started crying with relief. Once her tears stopped, she still felt a little unsettled and decided to stay there until she had settled down a bit more. Opening the chocolates, she thought 'Oh, these are some of my favourites….maybe just one or two'

As Harry and Luna approached the main doors to the castle, Lavender Brown rushed out. Spotting them, she raced over. Harry stiffening at her approach.

"Harry, thank Merlin I found you!" She gasped "I think Ron's trying to feed Hermione love potions!"

"WHAT!"

"Here, read this." Lavender handed Harry the receipt made out to Ron.

"What's True Lust?"

Lavender's eyes dropped and her cheeks flushed "I've seen ads for it, it's a very strong combined love and lust potion. You can put in in a drink, or put it on something like chocolates."

"Do you know where Hermione is?"

"No, I've been searching for her, but I can't find her anywhere!"

Harry thought for a second. "Winky!" he called.

Dobby's friend appeared. "My friend Hermione may be in danger; can you take me to her?"

"Of course," replied Winky.

Turning to the girls he said. "I'll meet you in the infirmary!"

Turning back to Winky, he took her hand and said "Now, please Winky." With a snap of Winky's fingers they were gone.

Turning around, Harry spotted Hermione sitting next to a table with a box of chocolates on it. Next to the box were several empty wrappers, Harry's stomach dropped.

"Hermione, are you feeling okay?"

Hermione smiled at Harry and jumped up of the seat and sashayed towards him with a predatory smile. "Oh I'm feeling great! Isn't it hot in here?" She said as she undid a couple of buttons of her shirt, panting slightly.

Harry stared. "Her-Hermione?"

Reaching Harry, she grabbed his head and started kissing him passionately, forcing her tongue into his mouth.

Pulling his head back from her and attempting to her hands off him, Harry said. "I think we need to get you to the infirmary."

"Up? Oh, I like going up," she purred. "and going down."

Harry was able to pull his wand from his pocket as Hermione tried to undo his shirt. "Accio chocolates." Grabbing the box out of the air, Harry looked at a gaping Winky. "Please get us to the infirmary now!" as Hermione ran her hands over his chest. "Ooh. nice" she purred.

With another snap of Winky's fingers, they were gone.

Arriving in the infirmary, Harry yelled for Madam Pomfrey.

"Mr Potter, what is all the noise about!"

"It's Hermione, I think she's been fed a love potion." He struggled to get away from Hermione, who was more interested in rubbing her body against his.

Madam Pomfrey quickly waived her wand over Hermione and grabbed a potion from the cupboard and then handed it to Harry saying "Get her to drink this, it's Auror strength flushing potion. A bit brutal, but quick and effective."

"Harry," Hermione whined as she tried to get closer, "don't you want me?"

"Hermione, you need to drink this" He said holding the potion up in one hand as he fended her off her advances with the other.

"I'd rather swallow something else." she said suggestively.

"Hermione!" he said desperately. "Look, drink this and I'll kiss you."

Hermione's eyes lit up and she grabbed the vial and swallowed it with one gulp.

"Come here" She ordered Harry and then kissed him thoroughly. Figuring this was safer than other things that she could do, Harry allowed it.

After about 30 seconds, Hermione suddenly let go and stepped back. She then bent over and Madam Pomfrey grabbed her shoulder to steady her and put a bucket in front of her which Hermione proceeded to violently throw up in. Harry grabbed her hair and rubbed her back while this was going on.

Eventually Hermione stopped and Madam Pomfrey, assisted by Harry, led Hermione to a bed. After drowsily rinsing her mouth, Hermione fell asleep.

"Will she be okay?" Harry asked with a concerned voice.

"Yes, she will be, she should sleep for about an hour while the potion works on getting everything else out of her system."

Harry watched as Madam Pomfrey put a lid on the bucket they had used and locked it away in a cupboard.

"Aren't you going to throw that out?"

"No, it's evidence." She said in a clipped tone. "Now, Mr Potter, please explain to me why Miss Granger has ingested a love potion keyed to you!"

"M-me?" Harry stuttered, "It should be keyed to Ron Weasley."

"Oh, please Mr Potter, I saw her reaction, do you seriously expect me to believe that?"

"C-can you please just check the chocolates."

Madam Pomfrey went over to the table and cast her wand over the chocolates. She turned and stared briefly at Harry and, frowning to herself, repeated the spell. With a slightly confused glance at Harry and Hermione, she went to the cupboard and checked the bucket.

With an expression of wonder on her face, Madam Pomfrey sat down and simply stared at Harry and then at Hermione then back at Harry. 'I better give him something or else he's likely to Kill Ron Weasley before the Aurors arrive.' Getting up, she then retrieved a potion and handed it to Harry. "Drink!" she ordered before taking her seat. Harry drank.

"Madam Pomfrey, what was that?"

"Just a calming draught, Mr Potter. I owe you an apology for doubting you. Those chocolates were dosed with what appears to be a very strong Love/Lust potion. Normally anyone affected by the love potion component would have eyes only for the person it was keyed to. Now, I must admit that I thought this was only a myth, but have you heard the term True Love?"

"Yes, but isn't that just an expression?"

"No Mr Potter, not in the magical world. If someone truly loves another then among other things, love potions have no effect. However, as you saw, the lust component still affects the person. The last verified case of this we know of was Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw."

Smiling at Harry she said. "Mr Potter, you are a very lucky man."

Nodding dumbly, Harry sat back stunned. 'She truly loves me.'

At that moment, Luna and Lavender entered the infirmary.

Looking at Hermione on the bed, the girls raced over to Harry.

"Is she going to be alright?" asked Luna

"Yeah," said Harry. "Madam Pomfrey gave her a flushing potion, she will be fine in an hour or so."

Turning to Lavender, he said formally "Miss Brown, I am in your debt. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't warned us about the chocolates. Ask and if it is in my power, it is yours."

Lavender paled slightly. "Chocolates?" she said.

Harry gestured at the tables somewhat confused, "Yes, those."

Lavender stared at the chocolates as she slowly walked over to the table as if in a dream and started down at them. Suddenly she started sobbing uncontrollably and collapsed onto the floor.

Harry and Luna both rushed over and tried to comfort her. "Lavender, what's wrong?"

Between sobs Lavender replied "Ron gave me chocolates like those two weeks after term started."

A/N Well another chapter finished. I'm not sure what's going to happen to Ron, but it ain't going to be pretty. I'm thinking Aurors and Azkaban but if Hermione and Lavender get to him first I'm fairly sure Ron will never father children. Any suggestions for Ron's fate, please let me know.