Title: Harry Potter and the Day of Reckoning

Genre: General

Rating: R

Warnings: Language, Violence, Death, and References to Sexual Relationships

Major Pairings: H/NT, RW/HG

Other Pairings: Most of these occur in the past; H/HG, RW/LL, H/LL, H/G, G/D (The rest of the Weasleys will have their normal significant others as well)

Summary: In Harry Potter's 26 years he has never really had the chance to make up his own mind. Dark Lords, The Fates, and "manipulative old codgers" have always made his decisions for him. Read as Harry fulfills his destiny and finally receives the opportunity to weigh the options.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All hail goes to JKR

"Italics" mind speak

Prologue: Who?

A twenty-something, raven-locked man sat brooding in a living room that didn't belong to him. In the dead of night, with nothing but a bottle of 'Ogden's Old Firewhisky' and 'The Daily Prophet,' Harry Potter was waiting patiently for some very old acquaintances.

"Harry, are you absolutely sure about this?"

"Of course Albus, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

"I understand that Harry. I would just like to make sure that you are ready. The fact that I have taken up permanent residence inside your mind not only allows me to assume that this conversation could become disastrous for the three of you, but I can also feel your emotions. You seem incredibly apprehensive about this whole thing."

(Harry sighs dejectedly) "Don't remind me old man, and tell me again why you couldn't just die when I killed you."

(Dumbledore chuckles appreciatively) "I know you don't mean that Harry. I am in your mind, remember?"

"It would be a little difficult to forget that now wouldn't it?"

Harry sensed that the wards on the houses were being taken down (lot of good they did) so he got up from the chair, crossed the room, and settled into the shadows.

"Oh look Albus, the lovebirds are home."

The door down the hallway opened wide to reveal the couple in question.

"Wow today was great! Isn't it just incredible how happy everyone was when we told them that we were engaged?"

"Yes, yes it was rather exciting." At this, the man started to place butterfly kisses all over his fiancés' neck. "However, I don't want to think about them right now." (kiss) "I want to make love...(kiss)...to my wife-to-be. But I don't think I can make it to the bedroom." And with that, the light kisses turned into hungry, passionate ones.

"Albus, I bet it just warms your heart to see two of your former students in the midst of a shag."

"Harry, has anyone ever told you that you have a rather...disturbing sense of humor?"

"Many times my good man, many times. But you needn't worry. I know stopping them before this really gets started is going to get their knickers in a twist."

"Well get on with it then, before I see something that I was never meant to."

"As you wish old man."

Just as the couple was about to divest of their last layer of clothing an unidentifiable, yet vaguely familiar, voice snaked its ways across the room.

"Tsk...tsk...tsk...I had thought that I had taught the both of you better than that. Hell, after the D.A and a crash course in Moody's Auror program, you should have been able to take me down the second you entered the room."

Even though Harry's prey had no way of recognizing their armed assailant, he had gone to great lengths in picking his hiding spot and disguising his voice, their reactions couldn't have been any more priceless. In fact, Harry wished that Colin hadn't been killed, so that the look of shock that registered across their faces could've been photographed and used for a good laugh. Despite their surprise, the lovers untangled their limbs and began a frantic search for their wands.

"If you are looking for weapons, then don't bother. Not only did I take all of the reserves that you keep in this house, but I also summoned your primary and secondary wands. You two were so involved with each other that you didn't even feel the magic that I used against you. And furthermore, what exactly would you do if you had them? You don't know where I am, and you won't until I show you. So why don't you two just stop, take a good look around, and realize your mistakes."

After five minutes, and no answer, Harry was extremely frustrated. "For God's sakes you two are inept! Try this. The glasses on the coffee table, the book that I stole from your precious collection, and the newspaper that you, young lady, planted your bare arse on! Jesus, and here I was thinking that I was making it too easy for you!"

"Harry, you do realize that you are going to give them heart attacks if you don't unmask your voice and reveal to them who you are."

"Not yet Albus. I am having way to much fun berating them for their total disregard for CONSTANT VIGILLANCE!"

"Laughing at the fact that your friends think they have a crazed maniac in their home. Not only is it disturbing, your sense of humor Harry, is morbid as well."

"Where are you?"

"Irrelevant for now, and a rather stupid question coming from you." The woman looked a little hurt by this.

"What are you going to do?"

"Not that's two very dumb questions from one of the smartest people I know. Try again."

"Why are you here?"

"Strike three. You're out. Want to give it a try mate?"

"Who are you?"

"Five points to Gryffindor, and I would like to thank you."

"What for?"

"Well you just proved the impossible. You see, I for one never thought that Voldemort would let me see the day that Ronald Weasley outsmart Hermione Granger." And with that, Harry unclouded his voice and stepped out from the shadows. "I hope you two missed me." Ron and Hermione were completely motionless due to their shock, and Harry could tell that neither one of them would be conscious for much longer. "I think this is the part in the movie where you two are scheduled to faint. I could be wrong though. I have never been one for the cinema." And after hearing Harry's disturbingly sarcastic remark, both of his 'acquaintances' collapsed rather gracefully.

A/N: I know this seems confusing, but everything will be explained in the dialogue of the next few chapters.