Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own it.
A Kiss
"The Three Broomsticks? But we need to get back to Hogwarts!" Belle cried.
"And that's why we're going to the Three Broomsticks, to get to Hogwarts." Neville answered. "Don't worry, you'll see."
Angrily Belle followed Neville. "What could he be up to?" She thought to herself, "how could going the Three Broomsticks get them back to school?" They arrived at the pub a short time later, Belle still angry while Neville didn't notice.
They entered the Three Broomsticks and Neville led them to a table in the back. It was near the entrance to the storage room. Neville sat and proceeded to call Madam Rosmerta over.
"How may I help you?" she asked.
"I'd like some nogtail ribs and a warmed butterbeer please." Neville answered.
"And you miss?"
"I'm not hungry." Belle answered hastily.
"Of course you are." Neville retorted. "And don't worry it's my treat for making us so late." He added in a soft manner.
"In that case," Belle drawled, "I'll have a stuffed firecrab, baked plimpy, and a butterbeer."
"Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you." Neville answered while glancing out the corner of his eye at Belle.
"Okay, I'll be back with your food shortly."
As Madam Rosmerta walked away Belle started into Neville. "Now what is the meaning of this? How is dinner going to get us back to school?"
"It isn't exactly." Neville answered, quivering at the anger in Belle's voice. "But there is a secret passage to Hogwarts in the back room. I tell you more when we get our food."
Somewhat mollified Belle appeared to lighten up. The red in her face drained and her eyes relaxed.
A few moments later Madam Rosmerta returned with their food. She handed Neville his ribs and pumpkin juice and Belle her slightly more upscale seafood.
As Madam Rosmerta turned to return to the bar, Neville called out to her, "How much do I owe you?"
Unaccustomed to people paying at the beginning of their meals she hesitated for a moment. "Uhh, six galleons and seven sickles."
Begrudgingly, Neville stuck his hand into his money bag and pulled out the coins. Trying not to look too concerned at the steep cost due to Belle's selections he handed over the coins. Madam Rosmerta took the money and returned to the bar.
After taking a couple of bites of his ribs, Neville started discussing the journey back to Hogwarts. "There is a hidden passage in the floor in the storage room. The passage is dark and a bit musty but we'll be fine. I've used it a couple times before but it is going to be more difficult this time."
"Why?" Belle asked.
"We were sneaking out to get some things they wouldn't let us bring back on regular Hogsmeade trips."
"No, why is it going to be more difficult?"
"Oh, I was with a friend and he had an invisibility cloak. Without one we'll have to sneak into the room without anyone seeing us."
Suddenly Belle didn't feel up to eating. The prospect of sneaking into a dark, dank, hidden passage was none too appealing. "Isn't there another way?" Belle questioned morosely.
"Unless you want to walk the road to the Hogwarts and be seen by anyone who happens to be outside when we approach, I don't see another way."
"Well can we ask Madam Rosmerta to use the passage way?"
"Are you kidding, frankly I don't think she knows its there and I don't think she wouldn't tell Dumbledore if she thought we trying to sneak back to Hogwarts to avoid getting in trouble."
"Fine, then how are we going to get back there?"
"We'll finish eating then wait till she's bust with a customer."
With that, Belle refocused on her food. She wasn't too thrilled with Neville's plan but didn't see an alternative. Belle began to eat her baked plimpy, occasionally glancing up at Neville.
She finished the fish then began to eat her firecrab. About halfway through the firecrab she again glanced at Neville. He had finished his meal and was staring about the room. Belle was now feeling guilty about ordering such expensive food.
"Neville, would you like some of my firecrab?" Belle asked quietly. "I won't be able to finish it all."
A slight smile creeping onto his face, Neville nodded. Belle pushed her plate over towards Neville's side of the table. His smile became a full fledged grin as he brushed Belle's hand when he reached for a leg. She returned his smile and quickly averted her eyes as she felt herself begin to blush.
Neville finished the crab then reached for his napkin. He dabbed the mixture of sauces from his ribs and the crab from the sides of his mouth, then glanced about the pub. He saw Madam Rosmerta was walking towards a large group of people who looked ready to order.
"Quick," Neville blurted. "Follow me." He got up and slipped through the door into the back room, Belle followed close behind. Neville walked softly towards the back of the room occasionally tapping his foot on the floor with a quick, "tap, tap." The fourth time he did this the pitch was noticeably different.
He knelt down and slipped his fingers between the floorboards. He lifted up and revealed a dark passageway. Belle peered into the passage from behind him and suddenly felt uneasy again.
"Neville, I'm not sure about this." Belle mumbled. "I mean how can we be sure that nothing will happen to us down there?"
"You aren't going to be alone." Neville calmed her. "I'll be there and I've been through the tunnel before. There is nothing in the tunnel. It is dark and a bit musty but there is nothing to worry about." Just as he finished speaking Neville jumped down the hole. Belle reluctantly followed, being careful not to get her new dress dirty. Neville reached up and slid the passageway cover back into place.
There were a few faint rays of light that snuck through the cracks in the floor board but not enough to see anything. Neville pulled out his wand and whispered "lumos." A small orb of light now at the end of his wand, he turned to Belle and told her to do the same, while explaining that it was okay because the passage was technically part of Hogwarts.
They began walking, Belle a step in front of Neville. He insisted he walk behind her so nothing could attack her without his knowing. This was primarily to placate her insecurity about the passage, as Neville knew there was nothing in the tunnel save an occasional rodent and the obligatory spiders and insects. The journey was quiet until a thick musty smell became to powerful not to notice.
"What is that smell?" Belle exclaimed.
"I'm not sure exactly." Neville answered. "Harry and I figure it has something to do with the lake. We think this area is just under the lake bed near the shore. But one thing I do know is we are halfway back to school."
That answer seemingly being sufficient Belle continued walking. Fifteen minutes later they were at the end of the passage. Neville cracked the opening and peered out. No one was around so he opened it the rest of the way and the two climbed out into the halls.
Neville turned to Belle and began to speak. "Thank you for today. I had wonder time. I see you tomorrow."
"Me too. It was great today. Thank you for asking me to go to Hogsmeade with you." Belle answered softly.
Neville stared into her eyes for moment. Then he thought to himself, "a good a time as any to demonstrate some Gryffindor courage." He took a breath, leaned in and kissed Belle on the cheek.
A/N: I'm not sure that the passageway stuff is right, that the food would be appropriate in the Three Broomsticks, or the prices I have used are reasonable. So please say something if you think they're off.