Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Foreword: This will be a series of short stories chronicling the stages of a simple and loving relationship between Harry and Hermione. I was getting tired of all the drama that happens in stories and I thought I would try and focus more on the lighthearted yet serious points that couples go through when they first begin dating. The setting is in Sixth Year, but I'm on the fence on whether or not the threat of Voldemort and the Death Eaters are looming over them. We'll see how that goes.

On a Trial Run Basis

by Romantic Silence

Hermione Granger and Harry Potter were in a slump. Their Sixth Year was starting to become heinously troublesome as the weeks passed. Despite the unspoken agreement that the two would attempt to have a normal year, they had forgotten to expect that a normal year would involve the troubles of a teenager – trying to keep their increasingly controlling hormones in check and attempting to avoid the problematic pitfalls of relationships with the opposite sex. They were both woefully unprepared for it and it was definitely showing with what they had managed to accomplish thus far.

For Hermione, her attempts to woo her red-headed male best friend into acting upon his feelings for her failed miserably. She had done so many things in order to catch his eye, she had even blatantly cheated so that Ron could get his spot on the Quidditch team instead of the prat, Cormac. With the way she increased her displays of affection for him, she had thought that it would only be a matter of time before Ron finally asked her out on a date. Eventually, Ron went far and beyond the average call and decided to snog his girl senseless in front of the entire common room. Unfortunately, she was not the girl – that was Lavender Brown.

Harry, on the other hand, was aware of his suspiciously growing infatuation with a certain petite, red-haired baby sister of a certain best friend. He didn't really know when it began, but Harry knew that he was completely attracted to the pretty Weasley daughter. However, he couldn't readily act upon his emotions as he usually did. Ginny was in a relationship with Dean Thomas and things have been going well for them lately. As much as he wanted to whisk her off her feet and claim her his, Harry knew that was a travesty waiting to happen. So, he bucked up and kept his jealousy at bay.

To say that Harry and Hermione were miserable was an understatement. Whatever plans that they had made for the year or whatever things they wanted to happen, all went down the drain when their red-haired crushes went off with other people. Sure, they could keep the torch lit for their respective infatuations, but what was the point? It wasn't like that they were in love and though it would be nice to be with them, it was only causing unnecessary heartache with their longing. Regardless, it still felt like a knife was stabbed into their hearts and then twisted.

As the two contemplated over their love lives on the couch in the common room next to one another, they were both unaware that they both had the same thoughts. At precisely the same time, their mind ceased to think and for the first time, the two noticed the other one sitting on the couch. Harry and Hermione – having been lost in their contemplation – shared a look of surprise before it evolved into a pleasant smile reserved for only each other.

"Hey. I didn't see you." Harry broke the silence between them.

Hermione chuckled and scooted closer, comfortable in her best friend's presence. "Same. I was too busy thinking to notice. When did you get here?"

"I think roughly ten minutes ago." Harry answered. "Wow, you must really have been deep in thought for you to not have noticed that long."

"I suppose." Hermione sighed. "So what had you up and about so late? It's nearly eight."

"You forgot? I had detention with Snape."

"Professor Snape, Harry." Hermione chided.

Harry waved his hand dismissively at the reprimand. "Well, I expected you to be studying or reading. So, what's on your mind, Hermione?"

Hermione crossed her arms and sighed. She wondered if it was alright to tell Harry, but then again, Harry had been there for her that night when she and the rest of the common room witnessed the intense snogging session between Ron and Lavender. Formulating the words in her head, Hermione started, "I was just thinking about the whole Ron thing. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking crying about that. You must have thought that I was being ridiculous, don't you?"

Harry opened his mouth to confirm her thoughts, but stopped. He realized that it wasn't entirely tactful of him to do so. Choosing his words carefully, he replied, "I think you were within your right to cry over something like that. Your feelings were hurt and – well – I think it was good of you to open up to me about it back in that empty room. By the way, I'm sorry for not saying – err – much. You know I'm not very good when it comes to crying girls, Hermione."

"True." Hermione admitted while laughing. "Lately, I've been thinking about how entirely rubbish my love life is at the moment. I'm starting to get over Ron, but I still have some feelings for him still."

"There you go! I'm glad that you're feeling better, even if only a little."

"I suppose you're right. Speaking of which, how are you and your feelings for Ginny?" Hermione suddenly asked.

Harry froze and absentmindedly scratched the back of my neck. He avoided Hermione's prying eyes but soon asked, "Was it that obvious?"

"No, not really." Hermione denied. "I just know you too well, Harry." A grin appeared on her face.

"Yeah – well – it's not really going so good. I'm really attracted to Ginny and she's a good friend and all, but she's with Dean. I think it's pretty selfish of me to want her for myself, right? I was thinking of just giving up on her anyway. I mean, I do fancy her and all, but maybe I just saw a little bit too much skin while at the Burrow and now I have it in my head to just shag her or something."

While Hermione could say several things such as encouraging Harry to not give up, she completely understood the chaotic state of his emotions. There was only one explanation to the conflicting feelings Harry felt and so with a deadpan expression, she simply inquired, "Hormones?"

"Hormones." Harry answered instantly.

The duo stared at one another, a mask of utter seriousness placed upon them. However, the straight faces soon devolved into riotous fits of laughter between the two of them, drawing the attention of several other students that were in the common room. Fortunately, it was not uncommon to see Harry and Hermione act this way with one another and thus their attention on the pair waned and they diverted their focus on their own matters.

"Boy, we're a pair aren't we?"

Hermione turned and glanced at Harry, smiling sadly as he settled further into the comfortable sofa. She asked, "What do you mean, Harry?"

"Just look at us." Harry gestured to the two of them. "I'm the Boy Who Lived and the Chosen One and you're Hermione Granger, Student Extraordinaire and Brightest Witch of the Age! Surely we should have succeeded in our attempts to attract our choice of a partner from the other gender!"

"Harry, I may be smart, but perhaps I'm simply too unattractive for anyone to notice me." Hermione suggested. She was not bothered that she wasn't as beautiful as some of the other girls. She had long since accepted that fact and thus no longer cared.

Harry whipped his neck back to Hermione and frowned. Shaking his head fervently, he said, "Hermione, I don't know what you see in the mirror, but you are not unattractive! If you haven't noticed, you've been already getting a lot of attention. Personally, I think you're gorgeous!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Harry and Hermione faintly blushed.

For Hermione, she had never heard another anyone call her like that before. She recalled that even when she danced with Viktor during the Yule Ball, her escort failed to compliment some of her more aesthetic qualities in favor for her intelligence and choice of hobbies. Granted, she liked it, but it would have been nice to hear that she was pretty too.

Harry, however, reprimanded himself for allowing his emotions to get the best of him again. He had always thought of Hermione as pretty since his First Year and he was one of the few to notice how beautiful she was becoming with each passing year. It was only when the Yule Ball came and he saw Hermione did he realized that his best friend was not simply a pretty girl that was part of the guys, but a beautiful young woman.

"Do you really mean that, Harry?" Hermione inquired softly, her words barely above a whisper.

Harry was almost compelled to say that he didn't mean it and that a part of him rebuked him for thinking about his best friend like that, but when he stared into her warm, brown eyes, Harry knew that he couldn't lie to her just to keep the status quo. Instead, Harry nodded and answered her, "Of course, Hermione. You're easily the most beautiful person I've met, both inside and out."

The older witch took Harry's words for truth and with the sincere smile that was on his face and the way his green eyes shimmered, there was no way for her to think that Harry would blatantly lie to her. She gave Harry a coy smile and replied, "Thanks. Although, I never pegged you the type to say something ridiculously sappy."

"Sappy?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "I compliment you and you say it was sappy? You sure know how to hurt a bloke, Hermione."

Hermione sniffed. "I'm sorry, Harry, but you know I'm not the type for flowery romance."

"Then why do you read cheesy romance novels when you think no one is watching?" Harry wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Immediately, Hermione's face became intensely crimson as she sputtered, "But – you – where – how?"

"I didn't." Harry smirked smugly. "Although, now I know you do!"

"You're incorrigible, Harry James Potter!" Hermione smacked him lightly on the arm. "How dare you trick me!"

Harry laughed, proud of himself for outwitting the genius that was Hermione Granger.

Hermione stared at Harry, a thought suddenly crossing her mind. She felt so at ease whenever she was around Harry and though they shared their differences, they often attempted to resolve them through meaningful discussion rather than having a row. While she felt a certain passion for Ron, Hermione was aware that there was a certain chemistry between Harry and herself that was irrefutable.

"Harry, hear me out for a moment. I have an idea. Promise me you won't freak out."

"What is this about?" Harry asked curiously. However, at the sober look on Hermione's face, he resolved not to ask. "Alright, I promise I won't freak out."

Nodding approvingly, Hermione continued, "Good. Harry, have you ever felt attraction towards me? As in, have you ever felt that we could be more than just friends? Tell me honestly."

Harry's eyes widened at the question Hermione asked. Once upon a time, Harry had thought about what it could be like if Hermione was something more than his best friend. However, he was always quick to squash any of those thoughts whenever it fluttered into his conscious mind. Now faced with that very same question in front of Hermione, Harry could do nothing but stare at the attractive face Hermione had and concluded that if he was truly honest with himself, Harry wouldn't have minded if their relationship changed into something romantic.

"Of course." Harry answered her, praising himself for not blustering.

"Okay." Hermione sighed in relief. "How about you and I date? See what it would be like being a couple and all. It's not like Ron or Ginny would care considering that they're already with someone else. Think of it like a trial run basis. We'll try dating one another and if we're dissatisfied, we simply stop."

"W-why me, Hermione?" Harry stammered, his mind was spinning with thoughts over Hermione's suggestion.

"Because I trust you, Harry. I think for how boyfriends go, I think you would treat me right. I know we'll always be best friends and so even if we fail at trying this, it would be safe knowing that we'll always have each others' friendship."

Harry and Hermione stared at one another once she finished. The Boy Who Lived could not believe his ears. Hermione Granger was suggesting that they become a couple to see what it's like. They would be doing things what other couples do. They would go on dates. They would kiss. They would snog. Maybe they would even shag. However, this was Hermione he was contemplating doing those things with. However, Hermione said that if things ever became awkward between them, they would end the relationship. What was there to lose? Aside from their virginity if they go far enough.

"I think... I wouldn't mind." Harry finally answered. Then blandly, he asked, "What now?"

Hermione smiled. "Nothing. We just go about like we normally do. Except... Harry, are you free on the next trip to Hogsmeade? I would love for you to go with me and allow me to take you out on a date."

"Wait." Harry held up his hand. "Isn't the guy supposed to do that?"

Rolling her eyes, Hermione replied, "Honestly, Harry, where is your sense of progression? Now, are you coming with me or not?"

"I would love to go with you to Hogsmeade, Hermione!"

"Good. I think you earned yourself a reward."

"A reward? What are you -"

Then before Harry knew it, Hermione was on his lips.

Afterword: I hope you enjoyed this story! Personally, I find the lax nature of Harry and Hermione to be far superior than a drama-induced relationships in canon. However, that is merely my own opinion. This was originally meant to be a one-shot, but it soon grew out of hand and became a full-blown story. I'm not going to be focusing on this story as much as my other works, but this had been on my mind for months now and I felt I should finally write it.