JAMES POTTER and the heir of the defeated

ARAXAS'S SECRET

James lashed out his invisibility cloak and covered himself with it. He started ducking around students who were going back to their common rooms, still talking about the match.

Araxas hobbled at a distance clutching his bulging pocket. This amazed James. Why would he be clutching his pocket that contained the second snitch...fearfully?

Araxas started climbed the stone steps two at a time. James had difficulty following his as he had to move faster in order to keep up with Araxas and also should be careful that no one notices his sneakers as his cloak was fluttering around them. He ducked around students, until there was only Araxas Malfoy infront of him.

Araxas looked around him to be careful that no one was following him.

All the students now filed into their common rooms. Araxas entered the sixth floor just as Peeves the Poltergeist started following and hassling him.

"Arxy, going whery, Arxy going whery," and started dropping ink pellets on him.

Araxas swore loudly and tried to hit Peeves with a stunning curse. A terrible mistake!

Peeves gave him a nasty smile and started throwing whatever he could find, at Araxas. Araxas tried to cover himself but was in vain. Peeves followed him as Araxas ran covering himself in his cloak as ink pellets rained on him with Peeves laughing gleefully at him and following.

James almost ran into Araxas as he climbed the stairs if the sixth floor. Araxas was trying to take cover from the rain of pellets. James tried hard not to stick his foot out to trip Araxas as he passed him almost brushing against his shoulder.

"Get off me!" screamed Araxas as he disappeared through the hallway. James sighed to himself. He knew there was nothing fishy with the sixth floor.

Why was Araxas here? James kept on thinking as he went back to his dormitory.

The corridors were completely deserted. James took off his invisibility cloak and tucked it in his pocket.

He made his way to the Gryffindor common room. Peeves and Araxas were no where to be seen.

"Pop Dart," he said the password and entered the common room. Most of the students stayed in their rooms.

He saw Aditya at a distance along with Angel and Veronica. Veronica was looking at the pair of them, amused. James didn't understand why. It looked as if Aditya and Angel were doing their respective works, avoiding eye contact.

James sat next to Veronica and raised his eyebrows. Veronica shook her head and motioned that she would tell him later.

"Hey Aditya," called James. Aditya looked up. James saw that Aditya was sporting a black eye.

"What the hell man? Who is he?" he screamed rising up from his chair making the first years working near by shudder and the sixth and seventh years scowl.

"Our daring hero Aditya just picked up a fight with Nick Selvig and another guy, just because they tried to touch Angel!" came the voice of Albus.

"They were asking for it! piped Lily. James looked confused at the people infront of him.

"Could someone please tell me what the heck had happened?" he asked.

"As I and Aditya were walking back to the common room, Nick Selvig started following us with his friend, who-knows-what's-his-name." started Angel.

"This guy Nick was my friend. But a while ago he started spreading rumours about me going with other guys. He did that because...I turned him down flat as he had asked me out."