Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K.Rowling (bless her!). The storyline and characters you don't recognize belong to me(unless, without my knowledge there is someone out there who thinks exactly as I do)

Author's note: First of all, this is my very first fanfic. I'm essentially a H/Hr shipper but just this once this is going to involve R/Hr(but there's no mush-my apologies to R/hr fans) Please review. Flames are okay, I guess, but I don't think I could stand infernos! (Be humane)

Summary: Ron(who's all set to marry hermione)persuades Harry to go on a blind date. The result? Harry's caught in a relationship which comes at a time of tension and anxiety(never a good time if you ask me),a time when Voldemort's retreated for the time being but could make a full come-back at any moment.(A.N:Aaaarrgh! I hate writing summaries.I'd makea hopeless salesperson!)

Chapter 1: Trapped

"No, Ron!"

"Come on, Harry, it'll be fun. Don't glare- see, you haven't gone on a date for years…"

The speaker trailed off, seeing that the other's mood wasn't improving. (Perhaps it would be a good time for the narrator to turn up now and make some introductions).

The one called Ron was a very tall, well-built young man with a head that looked like it was on fire( only because that was the colour of his hair) and a face that had its generous share of freckles.

And on that fine morning in the flat he shared with his best friend, he was on an important mission.

He was trying to get said best friend to go on a blind date. No mean task that, especially considering Harry's disastrous dating history and his natural reticence, not to mention his intense dislike for the limelight.

Connelly's had advertised their new dating service in The Daily Prophet and Ron, being Ron, would have loved to have tried it out himself but for the fact that he was engaged to be married. Instead he'd have to settle for living vicariously through Harry…

At that point in the conversation (where the narrator intervened) there was a loud 'pop' that signaled the arrival of a pretty, brown-haired young witch who greeted them with a cheerful "Hi Handsome! Oh, honestly Ron," (as Ron had raised his hand to ruffle his hair in acknowledgement) "I meant Harry, of course, not you" and then proceeded to contradict her words by warmly kissing the redhead. Her actions obviously belied her agitated mental condition for, presently she said, "Ron, your mum's going crazy…you're not going to believe this, but I think the entire wizarding world's somehow landed on our guest list. The wedding's going to be a-a disaster! And…"

"Relax, Hermione, relax. Daaarling! Ours is going to be The Wedding of The Century," said Ron dramatically, raising his hands to outline an imaginary banner. "And why not? The Famous Ron Weasley weds The Famous Hermione Granger, the best man being The Very Famous Harry Potter…"

"Ron!" chided Hermione, but the laughter in her cinnamon eyes was unmistakeable. Then seeing Harry's rather glum expression, she sobered down. "What's the matter Harry? You're not worrying about the security during the wedding, are you?"

Harry ran a weary hand through his messy, jet-black hair before answering. "No, I've got all that covered. The thing is, I've had a rather trying morning, what with your fiancé trying to get me to go on a blind date, for Merlin's sake!"

Ron had the grace to look quite sheepish, thought Harry, but that glint in his eye betrayed his real thoughts on the subject.

"Hmmm…that's really not a bad idea at all, Harry," said Hermione slowly.

"What!" yelped a horrified Harry. (He'd expected to jump to his defence and lambast Ron for being an insensitive prat. He could see, out of the corner of his eye, Ron grinning triumphantly. He should've guessed that even a sensible Hermione could not escape Ron's maddening influence.) No wonder she's marrying him, he thought gloomily.

"But…b-but…I can't go on a blind date! The very idea is ridiculous! For all you know, the girl will probably ask me for an autograph and will gloat for the rest of her life that….Aaaargghhh! Stop smirking, you two! I won't go on a blind date, full stop. And I have to be these days, you know better than anyone else…"

"Tell me something, Harry," said Hermione, pointedly ignoring Harry's last few remarks. "All those girls you've been with in the past- did they like you for you? No. So, it wouldn't hurt to go on a date with someone you didn't know, now would it? You've nothing to lose. And there is that element of surprise…" Hermione was getting a very determined tilt to her chin, one that Harry mistrusted immediately. It suddenly occurred to him that he was completely outnumbered two-to-one in the matter.

"You're going on this blind date thing, Harry, and that's that. And if you refuse, I'll set you up with Fiona Grant," Hermione grinned wickedly and continued, "All curves, oozes sex appeal and has the brain of a flobberworm-just your type Harry…"

Harry looked up, horrorstruck, at both his best friends (So much for friendship, he thought bitterly) who had crossed their arms and now looked at him with amused but determined expressions.

"Fine…fine, you win. I have no control over my love-life whatsoever," muttered Harry brokenly.

"Oh stop being such a drama queen, Harry," said Hermione briskly. "All you have to do is owl in your profile and requirements to the address given in the Prophet…what is it now, Ron?" For Ron had interrupted with a discreet cough.

"Erm, actually I already sent it, Harry. I asked for a weekend date, you know, when you're relatively free. And yeah, payment's only after they find you a match," said Ron with an apologetic (though he didn't mean it) grin.

Harry slumped dejectedly into the sofa. "Great. Thanks a lot, Ron."

Ron ignored the sarcasm and turned to Hermione, winking slyly. "I think we should prepare for a double wedding, love. And in my speech I shall say that 'twas I, Ronald Weasley, who brought the love-birds together, who ensured that Harry found the 'woman of his dreams'!"

Hermione rolled her eyes in mock-exasperation. "Remind me again, Ron, why I agreed to marry you."

" 'Cos you're completely captivated by my charms and are madly, hopelessly, utterly in love with me?"

"It's because I'm a martyr and I don't want any other witch to suffer your presence in their lives."

Harry snorted, but Ron grinned his most charming, lopsided grin. "See, I told you she was possessive!" He looked at Hermione and bowed. "Let us proceed towards The Burrow, shall we, m'lady and see what dear old mum's upto? Coming, Harry?"

"Uh no, you two go ahead and have fun. I'll just sit here and contemplate my miserable existence…"

Ron and Hermione disapparated in a gale of laughter, leaving a Harry who stared apprehensively into space.

A.N: Poor Harry!….Next chapter (The Perfect Match) is also quite interesting. I'll probably need some help on this blind date process-in my country we don't have such things, so suggestions are welcome.Oh, and I hate the title, I'm still working on it...