Outcome Changed

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 3

After Hermione was dropped off, the Grangers house. She was then piled into a car, and they were off. Just like old times, the Grangers would test her knowledge about the local history. It had always helped Hermione with her nerves when traveling. Since she was never allowed to bring a book. It was the only time they had truly interacted as a family.

Once they had reached the Forest of Dean. They climbed out of the car, and planned out the campsite like they normally would. They set up a very large tent, which Richard had stumbled onto himself a couple of times. While Hermione had come and fixed all the mistakes, since she read the manual to do it. While Helen set up the kitchen area.

Once everything was done, Richard sat down in a chair and waved for Hermione to sit next to him. "I know you are going into a world of magic and everything like that. But I think it might be crucial if you knew how to do things, the non-magical way, too. For example, what happens if your wand breaks, and you need to protect yourself. I doubt many of those with magic would see a fist coming."

Hermione smiled up at Richard, "I agree, but why didn't you try to teach me sooner?"

"I didn't want him to," stated Helen. "You were a little girl, and I was not ready to see you hurt. But it has taken me a while to realize that you're growing up, and you will need to know how to defend yourself. I can't imagine Sirius knowing any of the non-magical ways to protect someone."

Hermione knew what they were talking about. Sirius was nothing more than a big goofball, but he means well. With a big sigh, Richard and Hermione had started her first steps into self-defense. Along with a simple understanding of survival in the great outdoors.

Hermione was never for one to get her hands dirty. But she learned fast, since she had the mentality to strive for learning things. Other than camping, she learned to fish and trap, with simple tools that anyone could use. She learned how to build a fireplace and start a fire, by hitting certain rocks together.

Helen showed her what berries were good to pick at different times of the year. Along with which mushrooms to look for, since most of them are poisonous. Along with the knowledge that willow trees were a natural form of aspirin.

Hermione had learned a lot during that camping trip. She had even built a little muscle from the endurance training that Richard had put her on. When Sunday, four o'clock in the afternoon came. They were back at the Grangers house. Where Sirius was waiting for them.

Hermione climbed out of the car, only for Sirius to gasp at her. "Wow, Kitten, if I knew camping was going to get your muscles. I would have come along, myself." It only caused her to laugh and hugged him.

"Richard taught me self-defense. He thought it would be great to have a one-up when I am around magic users." She smiled at Sirius.

He looked like he was thinking, before he faced Richard. "I am glad that you have thought of that, Richard. I don't think I would have thought of that. Or even know how to drag this little princess from her books."

"Hay," she cried out.

Only to cause the three adults to laugh at her. "Oh, we know," smiled Richard, in good naturally. "It is an art on its own. She would rather read. She does not interact with the world in general, not if you know her favorite things are."

Helen nodded, "But there is one thing that Hermione will always do. She will always put in trying new things, until she has either mastered it or given up, because she doesn't like heights."

Hermione glared at the three of them. "Why do I have a feeling you three are going up on me?"

Sirius smiled, "That is love, Kitten. All three of us love you, we just want you to be a well-rounded person."

"Who can kick anyone's arse that needs it," supplied Richard.

After a few words exchanged from the three adults. Sirius took Hermione back to the Potter Manor. Where she was not just hugged by Harry, but Dudley as well. "He was a menace while you were gone," the two cried out.

Hermione had taken a deep breath and managed to duck and twirl out of their hold. Causing the two to fall to the floor with a thud. She jumped up and down with glee. "I did it, I can't wait to tell Richard!"

James turned to Sirius with a raised eyebrow. "What is going on?"

"Oh," smiled Sirius. "Richard taught Hermione about muggle defense moves, while they were out camping. Which, I totally agree with."

James laughed, "Well, I am happy that the camping trip wasn't awkward, like we had feared." He turned to Hermione. "What else did you learn?"

"Muggle survival methods, in case my wand breaks itself, at least that's what Richard had said." Hermione saw the exchange of looks from Sirius and James. It was making her feel a little worried. She knew they did it, when they didn't want to scare anyone.

James nodded his head. "It's not a bad thing to think about. Since wands do manage to get themselves broken, for many reasons. It is always good to have something in the backpacker that no one knows about."

Hermione then learned about other forms of self-defense from James, Remus and Sirius. Along with them giving her a tidbit. If she could manage, when she gets older, she could learn wandless magic. 'I can't wait to start Hogwarts, now!'

But first she had promised to have a campout with Harry. After she took a long bath first.