'Hey, hey wait! You can't do that! I refuse'

'Don't you dare to do that' Nathan cried out in anguish. Unfortunately for him it all fell into the deaf ears of the culprit.

[The conditions for the system to level up have been met and the system detected a rare opportunity has been spotted...]

The system didn't even deign to reply to him ; it was more like informing something on the passing.

[The upgrading process will commence in exactly fifteen seconds. Informing the host the system will shut down for the whole three days. During this period of time all the system functions didn't accessible for the host, thank you for your understanding]

' Aaarrrgghh! You damn sneaky thing....' Nathan was furious as he cussed the system for a full fifteen minutes. After that he dispiritedly fell down on his bed.

[Tring...]

"Why did this happen.... That damn tyrant.... It's not a system but a bully" he whispered to himself in aghast. The system scared him more than dork lord Voldy.

Nathan clearly didn't know how he ever offended the system but he was very sure of one thing. He believes the system is purposely targeting him and tries to make his life miserable.

He was happily minding his own business and plotting a glorious prank for Halloween at the end of this month. Everything was fine till the evening and the system did this to him abruptly.

He has been saving his monthly silver tickets for a noble and aspiring reason.was it wrong? Is that too much? Apparently the system didn't think so, no one can change its advances against him.

Just after this month is over he will have another monthly ticket so technically he can get two golden tickets in his hands by the start of the next month.

Who knows the system without an ounce of dignity would steal his hard earned eleven silver tickets. Not to mention almost all of his points he has been diligently saving also have been robbed.

Nathan becomes utterly devastated by this blow. He was so traumatized by the system's audaciousness he lost trust in many things.

For example, He would never ever trust banks in the future if this happened even if it was run by goblins. The only consolation was his yearly golden ticket was safe.

He sat there like he had lost his soul. It must have freaked out his friends. They panicked and led him to the hospital wing before tonight's dinner.

In fact he had to eat his dinner in the hospital wing under the scrutinizing eyes of Poppy Pomfrey. It did take him a certain amount of time to recover from this cruel blow and betrayal and convince the suspicious matron at the same time.

As for the sugar coated speech of the system and whatnot in the two plus hours. He didn't listen to it at all; why should he have to listen to what bandits have to say? He really thought it would at least spare him his hard earned points.

When he did, his friends had already brought him to his bed in the dormitory. He now felt a little less stifled after letting loose his frustrations and his mounting depression a little bit.

With a sigh he got up from his bed, the boys weren't in the dorm. Aside from the poor miserable Nathan everybody else was downstairs in the common room most likely doing their homeworks.

Annoyed, he got up from his bed and went to reach out his backpack so that he could go down to do his homework but his hands paused there for a second. ' Well I would feel better if I freshen up a little bit I suppose. Hmm, at least before doing anything else that was a must '

Nathan went towards the adjoining bathroom and washed himself up cleanly yet. Even then he still couldn't find it in himself to do any homework that night. ' Well no harm in relaxing I finished almost all three of my essays I can afford to it'

'The damn system really did me in this time for good ' Nathan angrily thought to himself despite his rage and broken heart he couldn't deny there was this tiny bit of expectation in him.

The truth is he was secretly looking forward to seeing the new upgraded syste- nah, its new functions...Well he believes there should be something like cool and useful new functions.

He was also hoping the system might perhaps feel some remorse for its cruel actions and give him some kind of compensation.

Despite knowing it was just his pipe dream he still couldn't completely let go of the possibility. ' So that's why people say 'Expectation might lead to greater disappointments ' tsk tsk. What a cruel world!'

Nathan secretly clicked his tongue as he went down. His friends were all sitting in their usual place near the fireplace. Artemis happened to look in the direction of the boys dormitory and spot him climbing down the stairs.

Her eyes were worried. He smiled at her gratefully and nodded his head. At least his friends still care about him, " Man, here I thought we are having a peaceful night for ourselves?" a Jovial drawl came from his side.

"Aww, Eddie don't be like that, he wasn't feeling well " Marcus halfheartedly reprimanded Eddie.

Nathan's face darkened, he clenched hand into a fist. He prevents himself from reaching out his wand. He glared at Eddie in annoyance and muttered something under his breath as he joined them around the fireplace.

" It's getting harder and harder to suppress my vengeful heart, you know? " Nathan stated Eddie in a similar drawl .

Nathan snorted when he saw the uneasiness in Eddie's face. The pun- ahem, Eddie was the most likely to jump around if he left unchecked. Nathan wasn't saying this fellow was evil or anything but he definitely had a foul mouth.

He looked at his other friends. Marcus met his gaze and shrugged his shoulders and went back to doing his homework. Artemis on the other hand looks at the three of them with amusement.

' Goddammit this heartless gits ' Nathan scowled at his three friends. "Er... Marcus, is that transfiguration essay? When did you become so diligent?"

"Why? You want him to get scolded once again? There was only a day left to submit. Mr smart-ass not everyone finishes their homework before they go back to bed" Eddie retorted with an accusatory tone.

Nathan smirked at him. 'As I thought he still had some grudge against me but...I have to say, making him mad kind of makes me feel good ' It indeed lightened up his mood a lot.

He didn't mind their disgruntlement and reached out and snatched the parchments on their lap. " Tsk, tsk Are you sure, you two really don't want your genius friend to look into your essays?"

Eddie sneered and snatched back his things from Nathan's hands. "Look who's talking? You have the nerve to posture here huh? '' Eddie looked like he would be literally crying.

" You told us the names of the some references books in the library but they were almost all related to advanced theories....Do you think we are sitting for our N.E.W.T's "

"Seriously dude? Keep exaggerating, why not? " Nathan replied in an equally derisive tone. That wasn't advanced theory, like them he too only started studying now. How can he understand if they were advanced theories?

" I'm exaggerating!? We don't know the heads and tails of where to start. Do you know me and Marcus got scolded by McGonagall because we were little late to submit that time"

" Well.... Let's look on the bright side. You didn't get any detention....I mean she only warned you right? you didn't get punished by her yet" Nathan changed the topic subtly " As a matter of fact, if you guys don't forget. She gave me detention that one time. "

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Eddie looked at him incredulously and he was on the verge of spewing vulgarities. After taking a deep breath he threw his hand above his head in helplessness and went back to doing his homework.

Nathan turned to look at the frowning Marcus, " You aren't going to put that blame on me like this jerk were you?" Marcus too shot a glare at Nathan then his shoulder slumped.

"Alright, I'm finished with my essay anyways. You can check them... If you want" Marcus somewhat shyly said. Shooting him a brilliant smile Nathan went to read Marcus' essay.

Nathan could tell both of them were quite diligent. He barely had to correct anything, though the essay quality wasn't much but it's still acceptable for ravenclaw standing.

" Here you go, nice job Marcus, even I can barely spot anything " Nathan shamelessly enough to praise himself with his nose in the air.

Then Nathan volunteered to correct Artemis' essay. " Here, Um

...Nathan, can you also look into my herbology essay as well ?"

" Sure- what? You even finished with that too? " Nathan asked in flagbastered manner.

*Nod nod*

"But...professor sprouts she only gave us today? When did you even write it? " Nathan was shocked, even though he himself only half finished it. Nathan felt slightly uncomfortable but he suppressed these strange thoughts.

" Um, I did read about this particular herb before. It seems easy enough " Artemis shrugged. Nathan nodded and turned his attention to her both essays.

' Che, why did I think like this? Did I have to be this petty? She was even nice enough to waste her time teaching me how to fly on a freaking broom wasn't she? I'm being.... Little ungrateful here '

He felt ashamed, "Are you feeling okay? " Artemis asked as she leaned closer to him.

"Huh?"

" Your face kinda flushed. Did you want me to take you to the hospital wing?" Artemis was concerned as she reached out and touched his forehead.

'What? There again? You must be joking ' Nathan pried her hands away from his forehead and shook his head fervently " I'm fine, really it's just...I'm feeling a little tired that's all " he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Oh! okay then " Artemis gently retraced her hand from his hold and leaned back. Her cheeks too had some extra color now.

"Are you competing with him or something?" Eddie asked her incredulously. "I mean it was only him before, Now even you are finishing essays with breakneck speed. "

" Did the two of you even consider how everyone else in the class might feel?" Eddie amusedly asked.

All he got was a deadpan look from the two of his friends. " You can't be still thinking of moving at the snail pace are you? " Artemis asked him with a wonderment.

" If you don't figure it out yet, all the theoretical classes we have been taking are almost over. If you were still stuck in the same pace as the last month then you are going to get scolded by almost every other teachers "

" Yeah! Don't forget we have to practice spells and hexes in our free time starting next month" Marcus chimed in.

Eddie's face looked aghast, " Are you kidding me? We were just first years?" Eddie asked as if he was dragged before Wizengamot for some serious crime.

"Don't worry, it won't take much time. You will get the hang of it soon " Nathan patted his shoulder.

Eddie swatted away his hand " Oh yeah? That's very comforting Nathan. You know what? Not everyone is gifted like Nathan freaking Reed got it?" his expression crumbled nearly now looking hysterical.

" Tell me honestly, how many tries did it take you to cost Lumos again? " Eddie asked in anger.

" Just two " Artemis said in Nathan's sted "It's the easiest spell out there you know. But you're not bad Eddie, before the period ends you too Cast the spell right?"

He did indeed cast it but his expression didn't look happy at all. Most of them did it in less than a dozen tries at most half an hour but it took him a whole period, what does that explain?

" Come On" doesn't mean Arte. Or he might roll on the floor and start screaming his heart out in frustration" Nathan played along while subtly taunting Eddie.

Marcus throws his bag at Nathan in his annoyance. " Don't listen to him Eddie, I heard lots of Gryffindors and puffs only managed to master it on their second classes you know "

" Thanks mate, this jerk is still as awful as before "

"I know right? Don't worry he just wants to mess with your head " Nathan raised his eyebrows, it was always the three of them console Marcus now he comforted Eddie.

' How cute? ' Nathan snickered in his head. An evil thought came to his mind, he wickedly smiled " How about this? Are you up for a small bet?"

"What are you talking about?" Artemis asked, Eddie and Marcus blinked their eyes.

"Tomorrow we have dada right? " Nathan schooled his features to put on an expressionless face.

"So?"

" Why don't we try out a small experiment of mine in tomorrow's dada class? " he asked.

"Experiment?"

"What for?"

"Go on"

Nathan chuckled at his three friends' different reactions, no doubt they were a little wary of him. It's not like he's really going to prank them or something.

"I heard professor jkkkjh going to teach us about an emergency signal charm. I heard it was very easy to learn from third years?..."

"What are you trying to say?" Eddie cautiously asked if he could get the vague feeling where this was going but he still decided to hear him out.

" It's like this... " Nathan spoke to them with a bright smile. The more he spoke the more annoyed the other two boys became and they pounced on him.

" You think I was being funny here did you? " Nathan really pushed all of his buttons.

Cackling like a five year olds they run around the common room. The older students look at the three with dumbfounded expressions, if not for their years memories assure them it was a raven claw common room then they would have thought it was a Gryffindor common room.

" The three of you stop running around in the common room " seventh year prefect shouted at them. " I Said Stop! "

*** ***

Nathan was startled to hear the sound of footsteps in the early morning. Besides, the footsteps seemed rather light and bit off so he looked back with "Hagrid, is that you?"

However he was taken aback by the person behind him. Nathan hurriedly stood up "Er.. H-hello sir," his face flushed as he realized he had been rudely staring at the person.

"Ah! Sorry professor Kettleburn...i didn't mean to stare " he looked down guiltily. The man on the other hand let out a booming laughter and waved his hand As he didn't mind Nathan's rudeness.

"A first year student?" the old man asked curiously.

"Yes, sir" Nathan relaxed a little, he didn't really feel the spikes of irritation or anger he expected from the old man.

Professor Kettleburn is a tall wiry wizard with silver gray hair and soft brown eyes. The peculiar thing is he only had a single arm intact, all else were prosthetic limbs made of wood.

He looked like he was in his mid forties but Nathan was sure his age would be close to his grandpa. Professor Kettleburn had carefree air about him and looked very good natured.

" What are you doing out here? In this hour at that? shouldn't you be in your bed? can't sleep? "His gentle brown eyes were curious as he fired off a few questions one after another.

" It's nothing like that professor....I had a habit of exercising and jogging since I was younger. Hogwarts grounds look spacious and nice enough at this hour in the morning sir?"

Nathan truthfully spoke, he didn't break any rules anyway. " Sorry professor, I don't know you would be here at a time like this.... I wouldn't bothering you sir, I'll be get going then"

Professor Kettleburn didn't mind why he came out this early in the morning. He was rather intrigued by something else " Exercising you say? Marvelous lad! It's incredible you are this disciplined at this age!? "

He gestured for Nathan to accompany him to Walk around the lake. Maybe because this is still early or he missed his grandpa a little bit Nathan quietly accompanied the eccentric professor.

" At your age, It would be a miracle If I don't feel sleepy in most of my first classes. " Kettleburn made a self-deprecating joke to put Nathan's mind at ease. " I thought most of the subjects were boring, I guess. What was your name, lad?"

" It's Nathaniel Reed sir, my friends call me Nathan " he politely introduced him to the older man.

"Reed? By any chance are you related to Williams Reed? " Kettleburn had a surprised expression.

" Yes, that's correct. He was my late great- grandfather " Nathan also looked surprised but when he thinks about it, this wasn't all that much of a surprise.

"How surprising I didn't think you would be his great-grandson. " Professor Kettleburn looks very happy " You know he was an inspiration to me. He often visited Hogwarts as a guest lecturer on some occasional"

" You know him sir? " Nathan's eyes sparkled.

"Kind of " Kettleburn scratched his nape " Um, I mean... I was kind of his acquaintance. I really liked his adventures, spirits and theories about magical beasts " he sheepishly finished.

' A fan! That's interesting ' Nathan concluded, he didn't know what to Say but he kinda felt very proud hearing it from a professor. "Oh!"

" Are you interested in Magical beasts? " Kettleburn asked that out of the blue.

"S-sorry what? " Nathan looked at him with wide eyes. He didn't expect him to ask questions like that.

" Was I too sudden? " he genuinely looked embarrassed, " I only notice this now....You had a similar aura like your great grandfather."

Nathan nervously laughed 'What is he talking about? Nathan regretted tagging along with him. Because it was about an hour later did he manage to escape the clutches of the Care of magical creatures professor.

For Nathan it was an unexplainable incident. He was as usual just finished with his exercise and sat on the lake shore to enjoy the peace for a few minutes.

A magical institution can be quite noisy and crazy in school terms. He somehow started to value the rare times of peace every morning.

At first he thought it was Hagrid coming to check up on him. He saw Hagrid tending pumpkin patches with some extra care.

But who knows Professor Kettleburn would show up out of the blue. Did this even make sense? Professor Kettleburn was the last person he could think of coming here earlier in the morning.

With professor Kettleburn's condition, who would have thought he would wake up from his bed this early. Man most importantly he can talk a lot, was it because he knows his late great- grandfather?

He didn't know, but Nathan didn't find the old man as unlikable or unpleasant as certain someone. Besides Nathan didn't feel any negative emotions from the man.

Rather it was like the old man took a liking to him... It could be even said as fondness. Maybe it's because professor Kettleburn didn't have children or grandchildren on his own.

Nathan could tell he wasn't regretting his life but he still had a longing for a family warmth perhaps. So Nathan could oddly empathize how he felt.

" Let's exclude this old man from the Halloween prank," Nathan muttered to himself. His heart softened a little, then as if he thought of something he shook his head.

He felt that would leave obvious flaws in his planning. " Let's see, how I can go about this " He did indeed plan some serious pranks as his official debut.