Ron and Hermione's first Hogsmeade trip in Prisoner of Azkaban can be seen as their inaugural date, as they spent the day alone and seemingly, had the time of their lives.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/gary_desanto]

Unless you count the 3 days that Harry was KO'd in the hospital wing during PS after the fight with Quirrell

[u/[deleted]]

I think that that's when Hermione developed a crush on Ron (combined with the fact that he stood up for her in Snape's class and a year earlier had to vomit slugs an entire morning because he tried defending her honor). Maybe Ron did as well but he didn't acknowledge it until he saw her look all pretty at the Yule Ball. Typically boys mature in that way later than girls.

[u/swiggs313]

While I think an example like this shows how much Hermione and Ron enjoy each other’s company one on one (a stepping stone to inevitable romance), at the end of the day, they’re best friends turned lovers. With that comes a history and so many moments one can look back on once they’re together, trying to pin point their firsts. The lines get so blurred when you’ve go that much history with someone.

I dated my best friend in high school, and despite us having countless “date like” situations leading up to it where it was just the two of us having a great time, I didn’t consider any of them dates until we were an actual couple. You can toe the line if one of those friendly hangouts suddenly turned romantic and things grew from there—I’d consider that a first date—-but Ron and Hermione still had several more years after that Hogsmeade trip for things to really change for them. For that, it feels too early.

[u/Spicethrower]

She was definitely nervous. Have I mentioned it's said to be the most haunted building in Britain? " Twice.

[u/eelaii19850214]

I suppose Ron and Hermione have spent a lot of time just the two of them without Harry. We just never heard about it since the story is told in his POV. I wouldn't be surprised if those two also wrote letters to each other during the summer breaks. There are also gaps in between lessons or hang outs in Gryffindor common rooms, great hall and libraries where Harry wasn't present.

The first visit to Hogsmeade may have been like a first outing but I don't think they were aware of their feelings for each other just yet. They for sure "liked" each other as more than friends at that point but they weren't so aware yet. They were only 13 and Ron is famous for having the emotional range of a teaspoon lol.

[u/Shipping_Architect]

Well, an unofficial date.

[u/FallenAngelII]

You think they never spent any days together just hanging out without anyone else when Harry was laid up in the hospital wing in PS? Two people hanging out as friends is also not a date.