Chapter 3: Gentlemen squarrel and lovely toasts.
Once in the dining room, Viktor took the seat that Hermione had pointed before rushing off to help her mother.
Steven across from Viktor a menacing glare on his face.
The look he returned to Steven was dark, stony and more intimidating than anything he had ever seen.
The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife and neither man was willing to back down.
Hermione and Jane walked into the room giggling but stopped immediatly when they felt the uneasiness that had filled the dining area in they're absence. They looked at one another nervously; their minds were set and they were more than ready to make theyre boys behave and get along.
With a silent nod they both made they're way to there respectable seats beside theyre simmering beau's.
Viktor got up abruptly, gave Hermione a small chaste kiss on the cheek, much to the chagrin of her father, and went into the hall where his traveling bag lay quite forgotten.
When he returned he was clutching a nice bottle of red wine and a small folded peice of heavy parchment. He handed the delicatly folded paper to Hermione who slipped it in her jeans pocket.
"Ohh! I should probably get some glasses." Jane said hurrying to the kitchen cupboards. She returned with four glasses, Viktor releived Jane of her burden and began pouring the wine in an odd order.
He passed the first glass to Jane who was considered in his mind the lady of the house, then gave Hermione hers as to show love and respect at being one of the girls and important to him.
The next glass was offered to Steven since he was the man of the house and finally he poured himself a healthy glass of wine since he was serving.
Hermione smiled warmly at Viktor's behaviour. He was still the perfect gentleman, the one you dreamed about after you read a fairytale but he was still a human man, he wasn't a dream. He was sharp edges and deep contrasts, broad shoulders deep dark eyes and quidditch muscle accompanied by slight brawn. No longer could Viktor be considered to small for his nose because he had grown into the perfect man and if not perfect, he was the closest you could get to that in the whole wizarding world. Hermione decided then and there that she really did love Viktor Krum and she would not let anyone take that away from her.
"Father be damned, he will just have to live with it!" She thought deciding that he was her choice not his.
Hermione raised her glass and put it near Viktor's. He smiled and lifted his slightly before beginning the traditional toast his family had before they drank and ate.
Viktor was touched that she remembered and they began the cheer.
"Good life" With each saying they would crush cups. "good health, and eternal love" They twined there arms and drank.
The male tension had worn off somewhat with the food and drink and they found themselves enjoying a nice dinner. Evrything was going smoothly until M.Granger decided to speak up.
"Soooo Viktor, how are you going to see Hermione when she is at school this year? Because of course she is attending her seventh year after summer break." Steven asked looking directly at Viktor.
"Vell az you arre probably avare I am finished my studies so vhen I'm not playing Dumbledorre vill let me visit hogvarts." He replied his right brow moving slightly.
Hermione was amazed how he could portray any mood so distinctly and severely with a slight twitch of his eyebrows or a small twist of his lips.
Steven's lip curled "Ahh well that solves that I suppose but I would think you would be reluctant to return since last time you were there that diggory boy died."
Viktor's eyes narrowed and his scowl deepened. he didn't like to remember that night; the night he had been placed under the imperious curse and controlled.
"Dad!" Hermione hissed looking absolutly livid.
"Yes it vaz unfortunate vhat happened. I still vish there vas something I could do to turn back the time so that somvone could haff saved him." Viktor said biting his tongue, looking Steven menacingly in the eye.
Steven didn't pay mind to his anger and continued to wind him up. "Yeah well I suppose you could have helped after all I know that Harry could throw off that imperious curse...It also makes me wonder where your loyalties lie, you are after all a Durmstrang student and I heard they truned many wizards to you-know-who." He grinned evilly when he saw Viktor's anger.
Steven that is quite enough!" Jane exclaimed looking appalled at her husbands behaviour.
"Former student of Durmstrang sir, I vouldn't question my loyalties they are qvuite known. I support Dumbledore, I support Harry Potter, I support Herm-own-y!" He replied his voice getting louder with every syllable.
"Well I assume you are telling the truth but how you could not fight off the curse is beyond me." Steven continued knowing that he had finally won.
"Are you qvuestioning my manhood?" Viktor said pushing the entire table over a few inches when he stood.
"Maybe I am, how are you supposed to keep my girl safe when you can't even fight off a simple curse?" Steven asked standing as well.
"Vell you do not haff to vorry about that Granger! I assuure you that I haff no problem fighting the curse now but DON'T you DARE qvuestion my abilities!" He said stressing the last words.
Steven walked around the table so they were face to face.
Hermione knew why her father could intimidate people because he was quite tall built like a tank and not afraid to yell or throw a punch though Viktor still stood taller than her father and even though he was smaller around the waist Viktor was all muscle and not a pound of fat.
The glaring match continued as they egged each other on.
"Remember Granger that I tolerate your innsinuations and rude comments simply becauz I love your daughter!"
"Yeah well your not good enough for my daughter."
Hermione saw that both men were ready to fight and she decided to break them up before something actually happened. She pushed herself between the two and hugged Viktor while Jane grabbed Steven by the waist from behind.
"STOP this nonsense you two!" Jane yelled looking at both boys. "your acting like children." She said lowering her voice.
Viktor threw one last withering look before he calmed himself. "I'm so very sorry Ms. Granger for acting like this in your home pleeze forrgive me for being soo rude in your presence."
Viktor said bowing his head and putting an arm around Hermione.
"That is quite allright Viktor but I think we should get watever is really riling you both out in the open now, don't you honey?" Jane said letting go of Steven and looking him in the eye.
"Yes, I suppose your right dear." He said looking at the floor like a four year old who is being scolded for tracking mud into the house.
"Well Viktor can you actually take care of my little girl?" Steven asked in all seriousness.
"You do not haff to vorry mr. Granger I vuld do anything to protect her, I vuld die for her." Viktor replied with the same to the point tone.
"Fine i suppose that it isn't up to me but I will tell you this: If you ever hurt my daughter I will kill you with my bare hands."
"Undurrstood, I must say that you vill not have to vorry I loff her more than anything in the vorld...I vuld give up chasing the snitch for you herm-own-y."He said turning to her and looking her in the eye.
Hermione blushed and Steven held out his hand to Viktor.
They shook hands and both the ladies sighed in releif.
Though Hermione was the only one besiedes Viktor who understood that last word from Viktor. "I would give up chasing the snitch for you..." She wanted to cry with happiness at his conviction.
AN: Sorry that took a couple days but it was christmas and my brother was in an accident coming up (he's okay though) and thanx so much linzysnup17233 (like one of my bestest friends) for beta-ing this story and I am sooo sorry if it's not the right format...
luv yaez