Author's Note: Another chapter for my wonderful readers; that last one was way too short to leave you with! And so, here we are with a much longer chapter and, as of right now, my favorite chapter. I hope you enjoy!


Chapter Ten:
"Abduction"

Hermione, Ginny and Luna Apparated into a desolate alley-way in San Francisco. They walked a few blocks until they found the hotel that they had made their reservations for the night. They each were to have their own room and their own bed to sleep in, so that no one would be sleeping on the couch again. (Thank Merlin!) They checked in and with great luck they were presented with the keys to three conjoining rooms. They each went into their rooms, dropped off their items and returned to the hallway. Hermione then gave her friends some money for the mall. That night, they were going to go to the local club that Ginny wanted to go to and were going to purchase new clothes to go in. Early in the evening, after shopping and before the local club, they were going to go to a restaurant that Lorelai had told Hermione about. Supposedly, it was owned by the mother of the brothers who owned the local club, which would provide for an interesting and memorable experience.

In a rented car on the way to the mall, all was silent. When they made it to the mall, they all went their separate ways. The first store that Hermione went into did not exactly fit her taste and so she left and went to another. The next one had many dresses, of all shapes, sizes and colours. Near the back of the store, looking at an impossibly horrid dress, was Luna. Hermione just smiled, shook her head and went to another corner of the store. Immediately, Hermione saw three dresses that she could see herself wearing. One was a simple black and white, plaid dress; one was a black dress with a simple silver rose embroidered at the bottom; the final was a simple red dress with thin straps. She grabbed all three and went to the dressing room. She tried on the first, but did not like the way it fit her. With the next, the cut over her bosom made her feel a little trashy. With the last, as soon as she slid the fabric on, she knew that it was the one that she would wear. The decision made, she gathered up the dress and paid for it. She then went into a shoe store, where she saw Ginny looking at a pair silver, strapped high-heeled shoes. Looking at all the shoes she could choose from, Hermione saw a pair that would just match perfectly. They were red high-heels and had a small rose on the toe of each shoe. Without even thinking much about it, she grabbed the shoes and paid for them.

Not long after, Hermione, Ginny and Luna all met in the spot where they had agreed. They drove back to the hotel, dropped their dresses off in their hotel rooms and then left for the restaurant. When they arrived at the restaurant, Ginny spoke, "Charming Delicacies? What an interesting name for a restaurant."

Luna, of course, thought it was perfect, "Actually, I think it's quite fitting."

Hermione just smiled, and they all entered the restaurant and were seated. The waiter came up to them and asked what they would like to drink and if he could get them any appetizers.

Ginny wanted a glass of wine but Hermione reprimanded her, so she settled for a soda. Hermione wanted sweet tea and Luna wanted a glass of lemonade with a lime. They all decided they did not want any appetizers. Later, when they were ready to order their meal, Hermione ordered the Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo; Ginny order the Lasagna; Luna ordered the Shrimp Alfredo with Mushrooms. Upon Luna's order, Hermione and Ginny just looked at each other and smiled.

Finally, when their food was placed in front of them, the three friends devoured the food instantly. When all the food was gone, they were offered desert. Hermione wanted a Small Brownie Ice-Cream Sundae. Ginny wanted two pieces of Chocolate Cake; which only added to their suspicion of her being pregnant. Luna asked for an Orange Covered Vanilla Sundae. After the desert was gone, they paid the bill, left the tip and returned to the hotel to get ready for the club. Hermione put on the dress and shoes. She did her make-up lightly and put only a little bit of her hair up. Finally, Ginny opened her door and revealed her simple, little-black-dress, silver heels and jewelry. She did a little spin when she opened the door and was smirking greatly. She looked Hermione over once and nodded in approval. Luna opened her door next. She was wearing a dress of an unknown colour; it was almost like a gold-ish orange. She wore gold shoes and her "radish" earrings.

She smiled, opened her arms wide and asked, "It's it lovely? Don't you just love it?"

Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and said, "Oh! Yeah! It's wonderful!"

Leaving once again, they got into a taxi and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, Luna smiling the whole way. They arrived at the club named "P3" and could hear the live music playing through the door. At the door, the bouncer carded them and then they were allowed entrance. They went to the dance floor and began dancing to the upbeat song. According to Ginny, there were at least four gorgeous males checking them out. Hermione laughed.

Luna answered with her usual dreamy sigh, "That's lovely."

Just then, one of the men came up to Luna and asked if he could buy her a drink. She smiled and said, "I'd love to." And he stole her away.

Ginny laughed, "Looks like it's just you and me, Hermione."

Hermione smiled back, "Do you think we'll see her again tonight?"

Ginny looked to where Luna and the man were now dancing, "Well, judging by the looks of this one…I won't be surprised if we don't see her for another week."

Hermione sighed, "Quite interesting how he chose her over one of us. Normally, men find her strange."

"She is a little strange, but that's what makes it so wonderful to be her friend. It makes her unique and keeps things interesting. And who knows? Maybe he likes the dreamy type."

Hermione smiled, "Maybe. It's about time someone took interest in her."

And they continued dancing for a while. Two men came up to them and whisked Hermione and Ginny throughout the dance floor. Hermione laughed and smiled. Then when the dance was over, Hermione and Ginny were reunited at a table. Moments later, Luna returned with an indifferent look on her face.

Hermione, worried, asked, "What's wrong? Is he not what you thought?"

Luna sighed, "Oh, he was wonderful; completely sweet and fun. That is, until his wife showed up."

Ginny nearly shouted, "His what?!"

"His wife."

Hermione placed her hand on Luna's shoulder, "Oh, hun, that's terrible."

Ginny was turning quite protective, "Where is he? I'll kick his arse, if you want me to?"

Luna smiled, "No, actually, I think his wife took care of that for me."

They all laughed. And it was then that Hermione saw him. He was standing by the bar smiling, just looking around at the club. There were people bustling all around him, asking him questions and apparently congratulating him. Someone said something to him and made him laugh; Hermione nearly lost all ability to breathe. The creature standing across the club before her was an angel of magnificence, a person of the most impossibly achievable beauty and yet there he was exhibiting perfect poise and comfort. Just the mere sight of the angel before her made her heart leap and her breath quicken. Not fully aware of what she was doing, Hermione excused herself to the bathroom and made in the direction of the very man who had haunted her dreams for weeks. Chris caught sight of Hermione making her way to him and his smile faded. Hermione looked at him quizzically, but he merely spun around and left. She was confused; had they not had a good time in Venice? Why did he appear to be so mad? Completely disheartened, she approached the bar and ordered a shot of liquor.

"One shot of Fire--," she had to catch herself before she said Firewhiskey, "A shot of vodka, please."

"Straight? Or mixed?"

She smiled, "Straight."

Hermione intended to entirely forget about Chris Halliwell and the night they spent together in Venice. When the glass of vodka came, she downed it instantly and ordered another. And so the process repeated; drinking one and ordering another. It remind her very much of work, for it kept her busy and her mind off of what she so desperately avoided. Slowly, she allowed herself to become intoxicated and all her troubles slipped away. Almost as if the forces of fate were in her favour, a very attractive man appeared beside her and asked if the seat beside her was taken. She said no and downed her next shot.

"You don't seem to be in much of a good mood," the man observed.

She tried to smile, "Oh, it's nothing."

"Guy trouble?"

She just nodded and he proceeded, "Aww…did your boyfriend leave you for a girl not nearly as pretty as you?"

"Well…in a way…but this was months ago."

"Really? What happened?"

"I came home to my apartment--our apartment at the time--and saw him snogging his ex-girlfriend on the couch!"

"Well, that's just awful," the man smiled and lightly caressed her cheek, "How could he ever want anyone other than you?"

All of Hermione's logic was telling her she should leave, that she should not be talking to this man and allowing him to touch her as if they were lovers, but another side of her wanted to leap onto the chance of no commitment for one night.

"Yes," she smiled, "well, maybe he's blind?"

"He'd have to be."

For a moment, he looked like he was trying to make a very serious decision and then he said, "Come on, I want to show you something."

He lead her to the back room, which was scattered with posters. He half-smiled and drew her closer. They just stared at one another and all time became endless, and then he kissed her. It was light and nearly apologetic, and, though it confused her, she allowed the kiss to consume her. He trailed kisses down to her neck, and then something wasn't right.

She felt like she was light, as if she didn't weigh anything, and spinning. She tried to pull away, for the entire thing was making her nauseous, but the man just held her tighter. She glanced around to find the door, but was frightened even more to realize that it appeared they were not in the room anymore. All around them, were bright, little white orbs. Finally, the sensation ended and she was being lowered into what appeared to be a chair. She opened her eyes and saw that she was no longer in the back room of a club, but in what appeared to be a basement. She looked up to where the man should have been standing, however, he no longer was there! In front of her stood Chris Halliwell. Hermione raised her eyebrow to him but he merely reached into his pocket and pulled out a little glass vial. He waved it in front of her almost mockingly and then threw it at the concrete ground near her feet. It shattered and she instantly felt as if all power was being sucked clean out of her. She started to say something but he merely put his hand over her mouth, saying, "Shhsh."

Out of nowhere, he grabbed ropes and bound her to the chair. He checked to see if they were good and tight and when he seemed satisfied, he left her alone in the dark basement; if it was indeed a basement. Realization of her situation hit her and she was overwhelmed with a wave of nausea. All that she saw around her went hazy. Panic set in and she found herself loosing a grip on reality and slipping into the world of her subconsciousness. For moments, she struggled but then, unable to stop herself, she vomited on the floor and the chair collapsed sideways.