I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Extended Family

Chapter 28 – Pressure

Takes place before the last chapter of Family.

Hermione opened the door to her flat and walked in. She took a moment to stand there, looking into the darkened place. With a sigh she closed the door behind her and locked it. She kicked her shoes off, not caring where they landed and slumped down on the couch, feeling exhausted.

"Hi Crookshanks," she murmured. Her cat jumped onto the couch beside her, looking up at her with an uncharacteristically concerned look on his squashed face. He meowed at her.

"Oh right, dinner. Let me go get it for you." She raised her eyebrows when Crookshanks flopped over her lap. "Don't you want dinner?" She sighed at his purr, running her hand over his head. "Maybe not." She petted him absentmindedly. Eventually she realized he had risen into a sitting position, butting his head against her chin. "You're affectionate tonight," she said softly, nuzzling him back. "Thank you, I need it."

She enjoyed his purrs and attention for a while longer. Then she rose, carrying him with her to the kitchen. Instead of putting his food on the floor she left it on the table, watching him eat with a faint smile. Eventually she made it back to her bedroom and she stared up at the ceiling long into the night. She sighed again as she fell asleep and somehow the sound made everything seem that much quieter.

-0-

"How was your date?"

Hermione shrugged. "It was…okay."

Padma looked over at Hermione. "Is that a regular okay or a Hermione okay?"

Hermione snorted. "I wasn't aware I had my own definition."

Padma smiled gently. "You do. You tend to be a bit more polite and objective when you categorize things."

Hermione smiled unwillingly. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Sometimes it isn't. But sometimes it doesn't…fully convey the sentiment."

Hermione shrugged weakly. "It was okay. The temperature was nice. The restaurant was nice, service good, food good. The conversation was fine."

"So he was the problem."

Hermione finally let out a deep held sigh. "He just kept talking about himself the whole damn time. About what he was doing and what he liked and all this and that. Any time he asked about me was just a way for him to turn it around and make it about himself once more."

"That sounds awful."

"That's not even the worst part."

"There's a worst part?!"

"He's dreadfully boring! And I know it's rich coming from me to call someone boring but he was! He was bragging about doing the most mundane of things. I would've been fine if he was bragging about doing anything remotely interesting but he was anything but."

Padma covered her mouth. "I'm sorry, that shouldn't be funny…"

"But it is, if I didn't have to endure hours of it." Hermione smiled ruefully. "I don't know. Then he had the gall to ask when I was taking him out next."

"At least he's confident. I'm assuming that won't be happening again?"

"Decidedly not." Hermione shook her head. "I don't have time for lackluster dates anyways. My parents are leaving on vacation and I promised to look after the practice while they're gone."

"Mr. Tonks is leaving on his vacation too and we have a lot to prep for cases," Padma said. "You're working the Ministry case, the Hightower case, and the Gallant case, right?" She looked concerned at Hermione's nod. "Isn't that a bit much?"

"I can handle it. It's nothing compared to N.E.W.T.s."

"Except it's a lot more than N.E.W.T.s. And you're going over your parent's stuff. I can move things about and help with the casework."

Hermione smiled. "I'll be fine, Padma but I really appreciate it."

"If you're sure," Padma said softly.

-0-

Hermione sat down at her table, dropping a large stack of folders. The thump of falling papers filled the flat. She growled under her breath as she moved things around, flipping through pages. "What a waste of time."

It had been another disastrous date with someone else that had ended terribly. Now she was home after more frustration, behind on more work. This time the person had accused her of being lackluster, so engrossed in their work and lacking any other redeeming qualities.

"I don't need this," she said as she worked. "I have proper jobs to do."

-0-

"Hermione, I like to think we're good friends now since we went to law school together and work together," Padma said.

"Of course, have I done something to upset you?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"No! I just wanted to preface what I'm about to say that I mean well. You look awful."

Hermione blinked. "Oh. Uh, I see. I promise I'm not offended."

"Good because I wasn't trying to. You look ragged. Are you sure you don't want any help?"

"I'm sure. I can handle this. I just had to spend some time at the dental practice to inspect a few things and deal with something. Then I stayed up late finishing the work on the Gallant case. I'm fine. Nothing I can't handle."

"If you're sure…"

"I'm sure." Hermione smiled weakly and left the conference room the two were using.

Padma chewed her lip worriedly before she took out a fresh bit of parchment and started writing something.

-0-

Hermione stumbled through the flat, dropping her things and leaned against the wall. She rubbed her face, trying to rub some feeling back into it. She turned her head slowly, looking down at Crookshanks. "I know," she said slowly to his meowing. "I'm sorry I'm late. I'll get your dinner." She took a few steps, each one more lethargic and slower than the last. She collapsed limply on the ground and could not even hear Crookshanks yowl.

She slowly came to, blinking and feeling very disoriented. She tried to figure out her surroundings and where she fit in them. She felt a weight on her chest and for a moment panicked, thinking she could not breathe. She sighed with relief instead, feeling Crookshanks purring on her chest. She heard something else, someone speaking. It was a low voice, calming to her and she strained to hear.

"H-hello?" she called out weakly, grasping for her wand.

"Hey, it's me, Harry." He knelt beside her and took her hand. "You're in your flat."

"Oh hello," she said very quietly, relieved. "When did you come in? Did I let you in?"

"No, I used your key. I got a note from Padma and when I came over, you were passed out on the ground with Crookshanks screaming up a storm. You're coming home with me."

"I'm okay, I'm just really tired-"

"You're exhausted and you have a fever. You are not staying here alone. I already packed you a bag and gathered your things. I was just speaking to your parents on the mirror and I'm taking you with me."

"But-"

"No buts." His voice was equal parts comforting and authoritative.

"Okay," she relented before immediately falling unconscious once more.

-0-

The next time she woke up she was in a completely different room. For a moment she had no idea where she was. She lay in a comfortable bed, the sunlight pooled in from the window. She felt more at peace than she had in a long time. Laying there, she did feel weak, it took real effort to sit up, but she felt better.

She noticed a stuffed grey cat beside her and she looked at it wonderingly. The door opened and Harry walked in, carrying a few vials. "Hey. How're you feeling?"

"Weak but okay," she said truthfully. "What happened?"

"You overworked yourself and you were fighting an illness at the same time. You haven't been resting properly, have you?"

"I've had a lot to do," she said stubbornly.

"I'm sure," he said and handed her the vials. "Drink up."

She did so without question. "What are these?"

"Rejuvenation potion for exhaustion, anti-fever, and an equilibrium potion. Your body was thrown out of whack from the illness and lack of rest. Your magic was fighting overtime to keep you on the level and last night you hit your limit." He sat on the bed and looked at her. "Why didn't you tell me what was going on?"

"I'm not some helpless little girl," she said, growing defensive.

"I know that. But that doesn't mean you didn't need help."

"It's stuff you can't help me with," she argued.

"Okay, I can't help with casework but I can help you other ways," Harry said. "I could have helped you with your parent's dental practice and stuff. Why were you pushing yourself so hard?" He sighed again as she looked away. "I should've realized it sooner."

"You can't blame yourself for this," she said mulishly.

"I sorta can. I haven't heard from you in days."

"You're not my minder. I'm your minder."

He snorted. "Point is, we haven't said anything together in almost a week. We've never not exchanged a message or a mirror call in more than two or three days ever since our fourth year when we saw each other over the summer before."

She blinked at him. "Really?"

"Really. Ever since then, except for my honeymoon, we kept in contact every other day to every few. I didn't want to intrude but I should have. Even Padma saw something was wrong. She sent me a letter yesterday and that's why I came to check on you. I'm glad I did."

Hermione looked down at the stuffed cat in her hands. She sniffled slightly.

Harry sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. She willingly leaned against him. "What's wrong Hermione?" he asked. "Why were you pushing yourself so hard? I know you always do, that's part of your charm but why this time? You went farther than you normally do. What are you trying to prove?"

"That I can do it," she said softly.

"Everyone knows you can do it," he said. "Why more now?" He waited for a few moments, listening to her not speak. "Is this about those dates you've been going on?"

"No."

"I think that's a partial yes."

She sighed and buried her face into the stuffed cat. "It's so galling. I feel all this pressure. I'm pressured to succeed, to work hard. Then I'm pressured to be normal and have a significant other and make that work too. They pressure me to put them first when I clearly don't want to. My parents say they want the best for me but shouldn't I be the judge of that? I'm happy with what I'm doing now!"

"No offense, but you don't look that happy."

She sighed. "I was but then I see people be happy with others and I want that but don't want to compromise for it. I don't want to do all that but I do at the same time. I just want to do it on my terms, after I reach a place where I'm satisfied with where I am. But then my mother says things and I internalize and panic and think I'm falling behind and then I do something like this to try and prove I can do it but show that I can't do it and I'm a mess."

Harry hugged her tighter and she wrapped her arms around him. "I can see that," he said softly. "I don't think you're showing that you can't handle it. You're just doing a bit too much and not prioritizing yourself right now and that's not good either. Pushing yourself to this point isn't proving anything."

She nodded glumly. "I just wanted to try and be normal."

He snorted. "Hermione, trust me, I've worried about being normal for years and I don't think there's such a thing. Or it's simply beyond me. Point is, be you. You've taught me that. Katie and the others taught me that."

"A busybody lonely know-it-all?"

He chuckled and kissed her temple. "Our busybody know-it-all. You don't have to be lonely. You know I'm always here for you."

"You have Katie and Dahlia to care for," she said softly.

"That doesn't mean I'm leaving you behind. I may not be as flexible in my time but that doesn't mean I don't have any for you. I care about all my friends and family. Just because I'm married and have a child doesn't mean you're any less important."

She felt much better hearing him say that. "Thank you," she said softly.

"You're my sister."

"Older sister," she said with a smile. She hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Harry. I guess I lost my way a bit."

"And that's normal, so I'm told. We'll find it again. We'll do better about spending time together and manage things."

She nodded. "Maybe I shouldn't have been so adamant about finding a flat of my own so far out from everyone. Maybe I'll try to find something closer to people and you."

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hold that thought for now."

"What are you on about?"

"I'll tell you soonish depending. Anyways, you're staying here for a while until you recover. I took your work things to Padma and she said you already did the majority of the needed prepwork. She'll send me things that need your attention but she says everything else will be handled. Uncle Ted said the same and that you're on paid time off. Your mum and dad already talked to their accountant and he'll be watching over the practice and for anything that needs you specifically, you and I will go. She also says that I have their full approval in forcing you to rest and take care of you."

She rolled her eyes at him. "You can't stay here and force me to relax."

"Sure I can. I'm taking some time off work to watch Dally."

"Is something wrong with Dally?" Hermione's eyes widened and she tried looking out the door.

"She's okay," Harry soothed. "Mostly. She has the sniffles and it's a kind that makes accidental magic happen a lot more so I'm keeping an eye on her until they run their course. Shelia's taking starter role for the next few games and we are training up our reserve seeker some. Katie is doing a program at St Mungo's that she was wanting to do forever so I was fine with staying home."

"That's a relief. And Katie's okay with me being here?"

"She said I should have dragged you here sooner. Don't worry."

Hermione sighed. "I guess I can take it easy here then."

"You won't be doing nothing," Harry said with a smile. "Dahlia was worried about you. She saw Crookshanks and when I said you would be staying with us to recover she got a little distraught." He pointed at the stuffed cat. "That's her feel better kitty. She must have snuck in and tucked it in with you."

Hermione clutched her heart. "I love that girl."

"She loves you. You might as well get used to it, Hermione. We want you here and want you to get better."

She smiled and relaxed fully for the first time in days. "That's good," she yawned. "I wouldn't want to be a bother."

Harry pulled the covers up around her and kissed her forehead. "Never."

-0-

Hermione opened her eyes slowly, wondering what woke her. She looked into large bright green eyes a few inches away from her and was startled awake. "What?! Oh! Dahlia!"

Dahlia blinked at her. "I'm sorry, did I scare you?"

"You startled me but that's okay," Hermione said, clutching her chest.

"Daddy said I shouldn't bother you but I wanted to see if you were feeling better."

"You're not bothering me," Hermione said softly. "Thank you for lending me your feel better kitty. She's helping me."

"Good!" Dahlia smiled widely before sneezing. The flowers on the nightstand changed colors.

"Goodness! That's a big sneeze." Hermione reached out to touch Dahlia's forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"Sneezy but okay. I make weird things happen," the little girl said proudly.

"You definitely do," Hermione smiled.

"Can I nap with you?" Dahlia asked.

"I'd love that." Hermione helped her climb into bed and she sighed happily when Dahlia snuggled against her. She wrapped her arms around the small girl and held her close. She soon fell asleep, feeling warm within and without.

-0-

"I'm home," Katie said as she walked in the door. "I brought some more medicine for Dahlia and Hermione. How are they feeling?"

"Good for the most part," Harry said, kissing her. "Hermione fought with me at first but has accepted the circumstances."

"As per usual," Katie smiled.

"And Dahlia was a good girl. She did her reading and her classwork."

"Good! Where is she?"

Harry looked around. "Hmm, I bet she's with Hermione. I just hope she's not bothering her."

Katie peeked into the guest room and smiled. "I don't think Hermione feels bothered at all."

Harry summoned his camera and took a picture of the two snuggling and napping together. "Now I know how to get Hermione to take care of herself better in the future."

"Do you ever think we use Dally too much like that? To get our friends and family members to behave?"

"I'd be worried if it didn't work so well and the fact that everyone loves it," he said seriously.

"She is terribly effective." Katie said fondly. She closed the door to a crack and led Harry back into the kitchen. "So what's going on with Hermione?" She nodded in thought as she listened and watched Harry cook. "Poor thing. She's a bit overwhelmed and lonely."

"Yeah, which makes me really like the idea I talked to you about."

"How's that going by the way?"

"Good. Everything is progressing nicely and it's actually easier and cheaper than I thought."

"That's good. It's so exciting. I want to tell everyone but I know we need to wait until it's settled."

"Yeah, it'll still be a while before that happens but it'll be worth it. I have an idea on how to help Hermione too in the meantime." He described the idea as he finished dinner.

"I'm all for it but wouldn't that technically be more work for her?"

"Technically but more work that she'd enjoy and it comes with perks. We'll see what she says."

-0-

The days were much more enjoyable for Hermione. She managed to get some work from the law firm to do but she delighted in playing with Dahlia and helping her with her home studies. Harry and Katie had opted to do home schooling for basic things with Dahlia and Hermione had eagerly helped with teaching and tutoring. One day when Hailey and Hadley visited, they saw how much fun Dahlia had with learning they wanted to as well and Hermione had a tiny class to teach to.

A week after arriving she fidgeted a little in her seat. "I'm a little afraid of going back to my own flat if I'm being honest," she said. "This has been so nice."

"We've loved having you and we wanted to ask you something," Katie said. "You've been amazing with Dahlia and even Hadley and Hailey. They actually like doing school work with you teaching them."

Hermione smiled proudly. "They're all good girls and very smart." She hugged Dahlia who was sitting on her lap. "You're super smart."

Harry grinned. "How does being Dally's, and maybe the other two's, teacher sound? You run by once or twice a week and spend some time with them, help them with their studies, teach them, that sort of thing."

"I'd really like that!" Hermione chewed her lip. "I'll have to do a little less at the firm and dial back on some other things." She squinted at Harry and Katie. "Is this a veiled attempt at forcing me to take a step back and do things I want to do because I want to?"

"And to take better care of yourself," Katie said without a hint of shame. "Plus you can stay after and join us for meals and the like and we can all hang out. This isn't replacing normal visiting either by any means. This will be extra."

"We'll even pay you," Harry said.

"I'm not charging you in the slightest. Getting to be with you all and teaching Dally will be wonderful. And your cooking of course." Hermione nodded. "I think I want to do that. Thank you."

Harry winked at Dahlia who winked back with both eyes. She looked up at Hermione. "You're going to be Professor Granger?"

Hermione's heart melted and she hugged a giggling Dahlia tight and kissed her over and over. "Oh you're the best and sweetest little thing! Yes, I'll be your Professor Granger!"

-0-

Hermione opened the door to her flat and even though it was like how it was before, it did not seem so empty and dismal to her. After feeding a complaining Crookshanks and changing clothes, she pulled out her mirror. "Luna Lovegood." Her mirror's surface shimmered and after a few moments Luna's face appeared.

"Oh hello! How are you feeling?" Luna asked.

"Better thank you. It took a bit but the illness is gone and I'm back to normal." She hesitated for a moment. "Would you like to go shopping or something this weekend?"

"I would like that very much!" Luna's eyes sparkled. "Are you trying to do something other than work?"

"Yes and well, I felt I should be a little more proactive about seeing people and doing things."

"I think that's wonderful and would be happy to see you and do things."

Hermione smiled. "Great! See you then."

Later that night as she laid in bed with Crookshanks doing his best to smother her she smiled and fell asleep, looking forward to what's to come.

-0-0-0-

diffident-serpiente - I haven't tired or burned out on Extended. I don't know if I will ever run out of ideas. I came up with a bunch recently that weren't even in my pool of ideas and I haven't touched two AUs I had planned either. I haven't started my next other project yet, I'm having trouble nailing a tone and voice for it and been needing to think about the overall things so I've been writing more EF chapters.

Raevl - Glad you're still around. No plans to do that yet thank goodness.

Mattyb4678 - It has not been a focus yet but I'm sure it will come up soon.

alix33 - Oh congrats! That's awesome to hear and I hope things stay positive for you.

Urgwaew - Hey there, good to see you. Hope things have calmed down for you some. You know me, I like callbacks to old jokes and it was just too good not to use them there. The cold feet joke at the end was too amusing to me, glad you liked it too. My best to you.