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Chapter 49: Induction into the Green & Silver Society
The summer had been a flurry of activities and days with the boys as the second part of their staycation. Severus and Hermione had knuckled down to do some research amongst the preparation for teaching in September. Work for the school was undertaken amidst social activities. Suddenly it was the last days of August and they had a new school year starting shortly.
One of the last markers for Summer for many is the August Bank Holiday, which falls on the last calendar weekend of the month. It was on the Friday before the August Bank Holiday weekend Greg Goyle had willingly been Hermione's video ginnea pig for the one on one support session assessment process and so she had sent the video off to the BDA for marking that Lunchtime before joining a rather large Slytherin House party in Edinburgh with Greg Goyle and his mother Ursula Goyle. Lady Goyle was most enthusiastic to have the Headmaster and his lovely bride staying with them. Gregory's marks had been so remarkable that his mother was heaping praises on the witch who had worked out how to help him learn and achieve. Greg had enough NEWTs and improved OWLs that he was able to get a job in the ministry. With further Night school attendance the young wizard was going to resit those OWLs that he did and would need for a career in magical engineering.
The official diagnosis for Greg all those months ago was dyslexic with dyscalculia. He could do complex mathematical calculations but simple arithmetic was incomprehensible without the use of aids and support strategies. The learning program developed for Gregory focused on three NEWT subjects while he resat four OWLs. Severus had gone into bat with Ursula and had used Pansy's links with the family to help get the agreement for his subject changes. Ursula Goyle was won over to his modified subject selection for his final year thanks to the corrective lenses and the marked improvement in his letter writing ability. They had proved to his mother that there was hope for her son and they had a way for him to achieve his full potential. His mother would always regret how many times her husband beat her son for not achieving the marks his father expected from him. When Gregory was little he was beaten for being lazy and inattentive but now Ursula knew it wasn't that it was the dyslexia and text moving which had delayed his reading and writing.
Pansy's control as the Slytherin princess in the House and her links with Narcissa and now Ursula led to the new Alumni association gaining additional assistance. The two Slytherin matriarchs supported by the future demi queen performed a three line whip on the Slytherin matriarchs who were now widowed or on their own thanks to their husbands imprisonment. It was mentioned that they should support this new endeavour and the Headmaster's other endeavours to provide a better education system for the children. It was not like they didn't had some free time on their hands as they were not the type of ladies who you could have on the top charity committees like St Mungo's. Many of the Slytherin ladies had lost their positions in the key committees, as they were now no longer seen to be a benefit to the organisations they had supported for many years in time, effort and money.
The inclusion of Ken Thompson and his wife Bonnie on the weekend expanded the organisational networking opportunities for the green and silver ladies. This Society had seen the benefits of the adaption of technology into their lives and taken advantage of business opportunities that they could update their family portfolios with. It was a tradition in many pureblood families that girls were taught household and estate management under the ancient practice of the chatelaine and the roaming lord or knight.
The first war and the locking up of their spouses had caused many of these matriarchs to step up as regents for their young children and take control of all the family business away from the main house estate. Those witches who husbands were not locked up after the first war found that these wizards were often too busy playing the game of politics and trying to keep their hides intact that another group of women took control of the family estates under the guise of supporting their man. Everyone knows behind every great man there is an even greater woman.
Thanks to the green and silver matriarchs taking various classes and participating in the adult education programs there was considerable awe for the two Americans especially when it was known that Bonnie for this year would be teaching at University of Edinburgh after turning down a offer from Oxford. Bonnie had slivered by association and with great ease into the matriarchal association when it was found that she had grandchildren who were successful, she embraced traditional skills and her own career in technology separate from her husband.
Before the return of the Snapes from their honeymoon there had been an unofficial book started by the Weasley twins of course for when the first Snape baby would arrive. For an unofficial book there were a heck of a lot of well known individuals including the Minister of Magic laying a galleon or two on when the blessed event would be. Narcissa had used a selection Mr Creevey's formal wedding party photos to support the formal announcement of the marriage in a respectable half page Sunday paper lift out magazine article that came out in early August. Now the whole world knew of the marriage. It was considered a great coup to have the couple as houseguests for the Bank Holiday weekend and the green and silver matriarchs all agreed that it wouldn't be long before children arrived based on the constant interaction between Severus and Hermione. Yes the network of the teacup had tracked the pair whenever they were seen in public and much reporting had been undertaken over egg and cress sandwiches.
Hermione found her welcome into the green and silver wives network a bit of an eye opening. She was highly surprised that she was welcomed so willing by many of the women. Madam Ania Dolohova was surprising considering that her husband, Antonin Dolohov, had cursed Hermione in the Ministry skirmish in her fifth year when he had also been captured by the Aurors returning him back to the prison Bellatrix had broken him out off. Madam Ania advised the new member of the green and silver society there was no love lost there and it was such a pity he was released so quickly after the fall of the ministry, as she had to get back on the calming potions again so she didn't hex the bastard herself. It had been a relief when Antonin had been killed at the Battle of Hogwarts for the witch. Madam Dolohova complained about her husband's wastrel habits and how he had passed them onto their son. While she may continue to guide and suggest the estate management because her son, Jarek, couldn't be bothered to take control she still had to chase the paying of bills that he racked up. She was looking forward to Jarek doing something stupid and finally paying for it so that her granddaughter, Chesna, could inherit. Hermione was horrified to hear this mother quietly happy considering the death of her own child.
Narcissa had quickly made a comment that helped Hermione avoid a faux par when she implied that Jarek was so like Antonin. Meeting the grand daughter of the grand dame Hermione could understand why she was much loved if the son was anything like his father. Chesna was an adorable toddler and her mother, Kasmira, was still learning English. Through all the interactions in the ladies lounge Bonnie helped to guide Hermione with the complex exchanges with these pureblood ladies. Severus may have had experience dealing with their husbands, sons and grandchildren but he was not experienced in the ancient intricacies of the ladies lounge and the Zen like politics of the teacup.
oOoOo
Severus and Hermione had enjoyed the arranged outing to the Edinburgh Royal Botanical Gardens as it gave them a moment to breathe. Not much, but some down time. Since their arrival at the Goyles' Town Estate near Arthur's Seat on Friday afternoon Hermione had been on tender hooks. She knew that this visit with the Goyles was really her introduction to the wider network of the Slytherin, Dark or grey neutral families. Sitting in the lea of the abandoned croft on the soft grass Hermione was enjoying the view of the Heath Garden and all the summer flowering heathers being held by husband.
"You can relax Mia"
"I am with you here of course I am going to relax for a bit" she said before gently kissing the top of his chest his open collar allowed her to reach as she snuggled into him with her head nestling in the crook of his shoulder.
"You are doing fine with the ladies".
"You think so?"
"You demonstrated your bipartisan attitudes during the battle when you protected their children who were non combatants. You have helped many of their House achieve educational goals that they have struggled with thus giving their children a brighter future. The current House Princess and many of the Matrons according to Narcissa support you. So why are you wired like a jack in the box about to spring?" Severus hands were gently soothing her back hoping she would stop stressing, as she was likely to trigger a round of muscle spasming.
"They are your friends, your former housemates and associates. They know you and you have achieved so much. I am an inexperienced girl with questionable qualities and even more questionable friends in their eyes. I don't want them to feel sorry for you married to me. I want to make you proud and I never want anyone to pity you or us. I don't want to be an embarrassment", she admitted ducking her head so he couldn't easily see her face and the tears that had been building would be trapped on his tailored summer shirt.
With his free arm he gentle lifted her chin "I could never be ashamed of you my beautiful, brilliant, clever and very sexy wife. I have a Ravenclaw prize you have a Ravenclaw prize. I may have a couple more years on you age wise but I like you have a bright future ahead of me as I have you my star to guide me". Not long after his statement Severus demonstrated to Hermione through a heated passionate to kiss away her silliness for the melancholy she was displaying.
Little Chesna and her mother found not very long after the pair. The sweet little girl with her bundle of dark curls closely matched her mother's looks. Kasmira was happy to sit with the couple on the grass while her little girl investigated the Headmaster. Chesna stood close observing the couple and seemed to demand Severus' attention. Like Hermione the girl was fascinated by his long strong fingers and roughened palms. She kept giving him a patty cake by slapping her small hand on his palm. When she sat down Chesna attempted to snuggle in like Hermione. Kasmira was embarrassed by her daughter's obvious affection with the potion master. "It is alright Madam Dolohova, I don't mind hugging pretty witches", he said trying to get a response out of Hermione.
"But what will your wife say about the competition?" asked Kasmira.
"I don't mind children getting support and affection but anymore if she was older would have me hexing before talking", advised Hermione.
"You will never have to share your husband with a mistress like I do. I am just a trophy wife who was purchased through the use of marriage contracts. The Headmaster loves you Madam Snape so you will never have to be concerned about a mistress".
"Good as I am possessive witch", asserted Hermione trying to imbibe a lighted hearted tone to the conversation trying to move it away from painful topics.
"And I am not a fool", advised Severus thinking of his warrior witch in action it would be definitely a serious incident if she ever turned her wand on him in anger rather than just training practice.
"When the children come Madam you will have to share him as he is so good with them".
Hermione could not think of a suitable reply, as she was too busy trying not to burst into huge sobs that would hiccup loudly. She could hear Severus heartbeat increase. Hermione so didn't want to stress him about their research but she knew he would like a child of his own.
"So Madam Dolohova are you planning to join the other ladies this year in the adult and evening classes?" inquired Severus hoping to shift away from the painful topic.
"I was wondering if Madam Snape's work with students could be applied to my circumstances where English is not my first language?"
"Yes multisensory teaching can be used for all students to help them improve learning but I am not very experienced there is a study support tutor at Hogwarts who has her ESL accreditation so she may be a more appropriate support tutor.
"Now that you have almost finished your muggle teaching qualification what are considering for you next endeavour?"
"I am not really sure", explained Hermione with a sigh. So that what was bothering his wife thought the famous former spy?
oOoOo
To say it was all too quiet. Hermione was waiting for the other shoe to drop. It would be someone or something. On the matter of the redheaded menace better known as Ronald Weasley there was sure to be some backlash. Hermione was sure of it there was no way he wouldn't ruin things for her. Ronald was spiteful child 4th year had taught her that when he had verbally attacked her after the Triwizard Ball. The berk with his total lack of tack, the emotional range of a teaspoon and the ability to create absolute chaos was the most likely to strike creating difficulties for the academic couple. There were others who did like a Slytherin Gryffindor marriage but they would most likely express their displeasure discreetly.