To Nathan the train ride was entertaining if not exciting. How else could it be? He gets a few pleasant kids accompanying him through the journey. Though he mostly listened to what everyone was talking and only talked when it was necessary he listened to them with great interest.

Anyway, he didn't even need to keep the conversation going. There is someone else who did all the talking for Nathan and for the three girls. The person was none other than Belby the bubbly bragger who was quite a cheerful chatter; he chatted on and on nonstop but oddly it wasn't irritating. Maybe Nathan was too happy to care about this little thing.

Kate Bell was a straightforward girl who likes to express her opinions and has this gushing enthusiasm when it comes to quidditch or anything related to that sport. Nathan was amazed despite knowing there are all girls teams out there and quite a few excellent women players in some other teams.

So far Kate was the only girl he came across who liked this extreme sport. He could sympathize with her to some degree Nathan also very much liked flying. When he experienced that firsthand, he fell in love with the exhilarated feeling of flying; it was truly a liberating feeling.

Though Nathan wasn't a gifted player like Harry or James Potter, barely passable with his two years of training under his belt he will definitely reach there. Where he could fly as he wished like a wind.

Maybe he would eventually reach that level he desired. Nathan wasn't ashamed to admit he was around Hermione level when he started. But during these last two years of practice his skills reached an acceptable level how Nathan wished he could draw experience or skill at professional players.

Nathan wasn't least interested in playing for the house cup or anything; he was merely into the act of flying. Nathan wouldn't admit it easily but he even had some designs for voldy's flying spell after all for Nathan even brooms like nimbus and Firebolt were nothing but a crutch.

He is determined to get that spell if it's not possible he plans to customize one for him. After all, with a miracle system in his hand, if he couldn't achieve such a small fulfillment, what's the use of the system?

Ahem... The atmosphere was quite pleasant. It seems kids in the compartments aren't actively seeking to show off or antagonize new kids like certain someone from canon. The four of them shared what they knew about Hogwarts or general Britain wizarding world.

It was evident to Nathan that the Lympsan girl was quite smart, had quite some connection and information for eleven years old. But she was very cautious in what to share so talked to them in moderation, while the quiet girl was entirely another matter.

While Lympsan was a polite talker, the quiet girl looked like she might ask people for gold and gems to open her mouth to reply. That girl hell bent on remained silent.

Few times she even employed some childish means to avoid being pulled into conversation or answer their questions whenever the other two girls tried to politely include her in their conversation.

So aside from a brief period when Kate and Lymphsan almost had a fight due to a heated argument when they were talking about Slytherin house nothing too intense happened.

When the cart comes to their compartment Nathan offers to treat the other four, claiming to wish them good luck on their sorting; he was more than willing to treat them.

They by chance witnessed the scene of infamous twins getting reprimanded by a hufflepuff's prefect over some prank they pulled on first year students. Nathan was half surprised and half curious after seeing them in person Nathan longed to give his sacred art of pranks a go.

He loved to enjoy their expressions when he gave them a dose of their own medicine. Capturing their pictures and sending them to Steven will prove everyone who is exactly more talented and mischievous in these things in this generation.

It's around 07: 10 or something when Hogwarts Express reach hogsmeade station like everybody else Nathan leaves his luggages on the train while getting off the train. There was a slight drizzle wind that was chilly. The kids excitedly murmured and caught up with other house friends as they walked towards the trail where empty carriages supposed to waiting for them.

" Firs' years! Firs' years over here..." a booming voice drawing the attention of clumsy first years.

" Wow!...lo-look at him " "He is big"

" Who is he? "

" Right this way, is that everyone of you?"

" Was he from the school? "" Didn't you figure it out? He was going to lead us to Hogwarts? " Nervous murmurs came from the back of the group.

"That's right, I'm talking to yeh lot. ye all stay close will ya? I'll took yeh all to the castle " a booming voice address the kids Nathan walked over, Hagrid gathering up the first years with a lantern in his hand " Hey kid don't go there yeh might fell down, anymore firs' years?"

"C'mon follow me, mind yer steps" they were lead towards dark and narrow path with both sides filled with thick trees that tower over the moon " look closely in a sec or two you'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts" Hagrid speak to them over his shoulder.

*gasp*

"Holy!"

"Ooooh!"

"So pretty!" the students clamored, they came out of the path a vast clear lake laid before them, across the shore stood a dark mountain, a majestic castle perched on it breathtakingly.

Nathan sucked his breath as if he got punched in the gut, his body shivered lightly and eyes glazed over as the castle reflection in all its glory sparkled in his gray eyes.

He absentmindedly walked towards the lake following other first years " No more'n four to a boat " Nathan never take his eyes off the castle

" Oy! Where ya goin? I said four per boat " Nathan startled and turned to look at Hagrid's frowning face in their direction, with a sheepish look Nathan hurried over to a nearby boat with an embarrassed expression and the quiet girl from his compartment following him.

Nathan glanced sideways at the girl slightly puzzled. Speechless, He thought she was going to take that boat that's why he walked away. She never uttered more than a dozen words during the entire journey. Although she looked cute, she had a cold and expressionless face.

They got in a boat together, there was an Asian girl and a boy who joined them. With a shout of 'FORWARD' the fleet of boats magically sail themselves towards the castle.

" Gorgeous isn't it?" An Asian girl asked Nathan and a tan skinned boy, completely ignoring the quiet girl, Nathan sized up the other to kids.

" Wish I was born here" the boy cheekily replied with a sigh. While Nathan nodded his head as he narrowed his eyes ' No I shouldn't peek into children's minds either ' he had suspicion this girl might also be an infamous canon character and he detected a strange emotion fluctuation from the girl.

" I wish today's moon up there " unexpectedly the quiet girl spoke, ignoring the incredulous gasp from Nathan. He nearly jumped into the lake by her sudden voice. ' Wow! here I thought you were a rude and b****y girl?'

Was she the same girl who ignored all our questions on the train? Surprisingly the girl turned her face to look up at him with a calm expression.

Nathan stiffened as her striking gray eyes looked into his eyes intrusively he hurriedly averted his eyes. ' What the.... Was she using legilimency on me? How dare she

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try to…' anger rises in him then it abruptly stops 'Wait a minute... That's not right, I don't feel any probe though. I shouldn't get agitated '

From his peripheral vision caught sight of her smiling face still looking at him, Nathan turned his attention to Hogwarts ' What a weirdo ' unlike other boats they didn't talk anything after that. He felt the awkwardness had something to do with the quiet girl but Nathan stopped himself from probing the other two's thoughts.

As they glided in the black lake Nathan's eyes once again fell on the castle. In a few seconds Nathan completely forgot where he was or what he was doing. His heart sped up something in his chest humming with his beating heart. He felt warmth flow to every part of his body, the moment magnificent and magical for him.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host....]

The boats continued to move but Nathan closed his eyes with content and realized the sight before him forever etched in his head as clearly as that moment he felt gleeful.

Sudden yell of " Heads down " startled Nathan, he nearly flipped over the boat. He leveled an annoyed look at Hagrid whose head disappeared into a dark tunnel, something soft brushed his face and everything went dark into the tunnel.

It seems a tunnel under the castle reached the small harbor. Mikael with everyone else jumped onto the pebbles *crunch* He could barely see the face of the other kids.

Hagrid leads them out of the boat house, handing them over to Mcgonagall. She gestured to them to follow her as she took the first years through the flagged stone floor and led them into a small chamber.

She gave her usual introductory speeches about houses, ceremony and other systems they need to take a note of along with brief mention of house unity and stuff then she told them to wait there for her to pick them for the sorting ceremony.

Nathan looked around assessing the other first years around him while carefully not to look at the quiet girl who was standing in his hand reach. " Nathan, are you nervous?" the girl stated Nathan flinched reflexively as he slowly turned to look at the weird girl.

Nathan forced a smile As he studied her expression, "Hahahaha! Of course no- A little bit maybe " then pretended to look around the room with interest, something about her unnerved him ' Hmm, what did she tell her name was? ' he tried to remember her name the girl spoke once again.

" You are trying very hard... Aren't you? " the girl chuckled. Nathan turned his head looking at her with narrowed eyes, she shrugged her shoulders without looking away from his face.

"It wasn't that hard really? I can see that, For some reason you are guarded around me...hmm I'm sure you are very wary of me aren't you? " There was fleeting emotion in her before Nathan could identify the emotion. She turned her face away looking a little gloomy.

Nathan sighed Before he could say something, sudden screams from behind made them look back ' Yeah, I totally forgot about them! I was even planning to prank them with Element stickers, how regrettable!' Nathan mocked himself for his carelessness.

It was like in the Canon usual complaints about peeves the Poltergeist and some party they had known last night. He could feel their amusement and interest from where he was standing.

They are even a little smug about the scare they gave the kids. Nathan there and then decided that he had to pull some nice prank on them as a gentleman and representative of first years on everyone's behalf.

' I wonder how the stickers work on ghosts ' ever since he tried out the stickers, this thought stuck in his mind.

Mcganagall returned and shooed those ghosts away before she led the students through the right side door to the fabled Great Hall. "It's so big" "hey look up! " " So many people,everyone staring at us " "Ah... Teachers are staring "children mumbled to themselves.

"First years! yes, stand right there" Mcgonagall ushered them to right in front of the teacher's table facing students from four houses. Nathan looked around with many curious eyes on them and someone even made a comment about how tiny they look for First years.

Nathan had an unreadable look on his face, ' Tiny? This brat...err he looks really tall. Was he in seventh year? At least he should be sixth year for sure. Punk How rude! Tiny hmph, at your age I will be even taller than you ' Nathan learned from Thomas his father was a very tall man he didn't have insecurities about his height in the future.

With a snort he turned his eyes to the teachers table on his back and caught the eyes of wary looking dumbbells almost smirked. ' Would you look at that? He was really looking...concerned ' seeing this but put on a bright and innocent expression. Dumbledore's face turned awkward but returned a mild smile he then turned to talk to Professor Flitchwick.

' It really looks like he was ....wary of me right? Don't tell me grandpa tells my occasional pranks to this old coot. Hmm!' Nathan's eyes glanced at the hooked nose professor in black he didn't need to think who he was. Snape had a neutral look and impassive face talking about something with a dark skinned woman beside him.

There were few recognizable figures and few unknown ones. For example, a professor with prosthetic limbs and two men he couldn't identify clearly tried his best to not look at professor Tralwaney. He didn't want some unexpected accident to happen to him.

Nathan luck was fickle really might something extreme could happen. 'System she wouldn't pull any stunt on me right? You have to protect me ' he nagged the system hundredth time about this issue.

[ I already told you countless times, Your fate is different. Unless you stick your nose into the plot you will be completely fine world's will wouldn't mess with us....Though I'd still say it's good to stay away from this woman she was capable]

He nodded his head although he knew she was a fraud but he still decided to avoid any accidents due to his carelessness or overconfidence he never allowed himself to be a puppet of fate.

One of the books he read in his family library specifically warned magical people to not hold prolonged eye contacts with seers. He wasn't curious or dumb to check the validity of whether it's true or not.

Mcgonagall placed a four legged stool in front of them and a big tattered hat on top of it unsurprisingly the hat opened its mouth sang a welcoming song the hat prepared beforehand.

' Hmph it's just an enchantment. Besides' It's barely tolerable ' Nathan clicked his tongue in annoyance, its voice was deep but a little croaky but magically somehow pleasant to Whoever heard it.

Unfortunately it poked a sore spot on Nathan's heart. He loved to sing and dreamed of people admiring his skill but unfortunately in both his life his voice was least suitable for it.

It seems his family is not made for singing. He was annoyed that even the croaky voice of this hat sounded more pleasing than his' only he knew how much he loved to sing. If he had a nice voice Nathan wouldn't even hesitate to sign up for the frog choir in Hogwarts.

Unaware of Nathan's inner misery Mcgonagall unrolled the scroll unhurriedly and started to read out the names in a dignified voice " Aston Silver " a blonde boy rushed over and almost tripped in front of the professor.

The hat was put on his head and in a minute the sorting hat shouted out "Raven claw " the boy looked greatly relieved as he grinned at his new house mates who were cheering for him.

The ceremony continued "Ainsworth Dominic " "Slytherin" the sorting hat shouted out " Allen Dawson" "hufflepuff". "Ansley Beatrice " "Slytherin". Bailey Jade- Hufflepuff, Barnes Lane- Gryffindor, Bell Katie- Gryffindor.

While Nathan was cheering he could feel that girl still staring at him, he felt quite uncomfortable standing beside her. It seems once again his luck acted up Mcgonagall called out "Black Artemis' ' the quiet girl beside him stiffened and mumbled good luck to him in a quiet voice.

Nathan felt choked sensing her emotions and immediately felt guilty ' Did I go a little overboard? ' He wanted to shout out good luck to her as well. It was only then that he noticed the strange atmosphere. 'Huh!' It was then he heard the murmurs.

"Did I hear that correctly? "

"A Black? "

"Weird, I don't know there would be a 'Black' attending our school at that, " a slytherin girl whispered.

"How?" a boy near her asked with wide eyes.

Nathan's body went stiff. ' What the f*** She was a Black? Sh*t so I'm thrown into an Alternate Universe?' a sense of horror settled in his heart and a handful of suspicions and questions reared its head in his mind.

His eyes focused on her, Nathan's heart sank to his stomach 'I know it! something about her doesn't sit well with from the start. Damn it now I have to be extra careful with everyone. Even snape might be turned out as a bootlicking death eater and evil guy here...i can't let down my guard '

' Was it even safe to study at this school this year? No… no cou- maybe I should drop out and bring my grandpa to America or France'

[ Don't be idiotic Host, why are you freaking out? Don't be so...paranoid. Know this Having caution is perfectly fine, you have to find a balance in everything. But if you slipped into it your old Paranoia self will catch up. It's impossible to live a life you dreamed ]

[Not necessarily everyone here has to be twisted and evil people, have faith in yourself and my judgment]

[Even if the world is filled with evil , you have no choice but to thrive for the life you have always imagined. If you don't get rid of suspicions I might not hesitate to deal out a severe punishment for you.]

[Remember my purpose is to aid you in living your life to fullest and the kind you always wanted]

Nathan flinched when he detected the slight menace seeping in its tone. The strong sense of paranoia intensified in his heart. His eyes were on the girl but he didn't notice the girl also held his gaze until the hat cut off her vision.

Nathan's heart was in turmoil, but he knew he couldn't lose his calm here, not with about a dozen professors sitting right behind his back.

He was especially wary of Snape and Dumbledore, Nathan started to regulate his breath and with practiced ease went into the place where roulette was kept.

This was his solace, he didn't know what the real problem was, why he was struggling to control his emotions for the last few years. But If he experiences any intense emotions the kind unsettling him he couldn't control himself from causing harm to his surroundings.

System claimed this was because of his past life trauma but Nathan highly doubted such a claim. Nathan was already adopted into his second life and now identifies himself as Nathan so why should his past life trauma bother him?

Perhaps this was doings of the world's will or something to do with the being sent him here maybe, just maybe it was the side effect of the system. Nathan soon wanted to find out a solution for this problem; he was afraid he would die.

But he most of the time managed to control himself. After the system activated, he even had it easy in a way. He was slowly getting his emotions under control when he felt unbearable he came Into this space.

His body would act on its instinct very similar to how Nathan usually acts. Though it wasn't hard for someone who knows him well to find the difference, no one should take notice since every first year was nervous and quiet tonight.

Nathan didn't know how long he was in that space when he returned to his senses he found himself lying in a comfy bed dark room. The room was very silent aside from a snore to his left.

' Where is this? Was this Gryffindor dormitory? ' Nathan asked.

[.....]

'Hey, I'm asking you, Which house did I get sorted into? ' Nathan whined a little ' at least please tell me, It's not a slytherin right?'

[Why are you bothering me for every single thing again and again? Why should I bother with every little thing that happens just because I can't hide myself? And let me tell you this, you fail to get system points because of your cowardice you will regret it]

The system sounded extremely annoyed and pissed about him not experiencing the sorting ceremony. It's indeed right he did whatever he wanted after he realized the thing.

He doesn't know what to say, but he knows if Nathan didn't escape into space he might have gone into hysterics and hurt someone. Not to mention everyone would have thought him as a loony. ' I- '

[Do you want me to put you into sleep or not]

' A-alright then I'll talk to you in the morning ' Nathan stuttered out and his mind went blank.