Take it Together ***REWRITTEN!!! READ: TAKE IT TOGETHER-TAKE 2***

Chapter 2

All around them the maze began to move. The hedges were sliding smoothly back into the ground, and the giant spider disappeared with a pop. In only a few seconds, the maze had vanished entirely, leaving Cedric and Harry alone in the center of the dark Quidditch pitch.

The grass was smooth and velvety, with no trace of the twenty foot shrubs that had been growing there just before, however a few spots on the grass were burnt and scraped, from the activities of the task.

It took the crowd a moment to realize what had happened. Then they began to cheer, and so loud, and jubilant were their cries, that people could hear them as far Cambridge. The spectators flooded onto the field, bumping and jostling and screaming themselves hoarse, as they surrounded Harry and Cedric.

Cedric was still supporting Harry, who would never have been able to stand with his ankle as it was. His arm was sturdy around Harry's back, resolute and unyielding against the sea of people pushing at them.

As one they lifted the cup into the air. The crowds went wild, and Cedric's arm tightened around Harry's waist.

And there were the Weasleys with Hermione, beaming and waving at him over the crowd, cheering along with everyone else.

Hagrid too was cutting a path through the madness. He was crying great tears of joy and crying, "Yeh did it, Harry! You show 'em! Yeh did it!"

Harry spotted the judges and teachers on the far side of the stands. Dumbledore and McGonagall were chatting animatedly, and Dumbledore turned and winked at Harry, when he felt his gaze on his back.

Bagman was bouncing around looking happier than he had at the World Cup.

Madame Maxime and Karkaroff weren't looking too pleased. They weren't clapping, but instead were fussing over their champions. Harry wanted to go over and make sure they were ok, but it would be impossible for him to get all the way over there with his hurt ankle and the masses of people, and even if he did, he didn't think the other champions would be too chuffed to see him. So he stayed put, smiling around at the crowds, wondering if Krum was going to go to Azkaban for using an Unforgivable Curse.

Mad-Eye Moody was distinctly absent from the huddle of staff. Harry scanned the crowd. He didn't see him, but it would be easy to miss something in the chaos of the celebration.

Staring once more over the heads of the screaming crowd he saw Luna, and Neville waving banners. Luna was wearing her Gryffindor lion hat.

He also waved at Dean and Seamus, who were jumping up and down, and yelling almost as loudly as the Weasley twins.

At the bottom of the stands, in a tight knot, stood the Slytherins. They seemed unsure of whether to cheer for a Hogwarts victory, of boo the champions for not being in their house. Malfoy wasn't with them however, and Harry took a moment to scan the crowd, looking for him. To his surprise, he finally spotted the white blonde head, battling it's way over towards the two champions. Slipping over between two very rowdy fifth years, he looked at Harry and then down at the pitch.

"Malfoy?" Harry prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry," Malfoy mumbled. "I just wanted to say, well," He hesitated and then said, in a rush, "goojobindatournamentancongratsandthnksforahogwartsvictryyoudidreallywell!"

Harry smirked at him. "What was that, Malfoy? Are you nervous?"

"Shut up, Potter," Malfoy said, but it was lacking the usual malice. He grit his teeth and glared at Harry again. " I just wanted to say," he said through clenched teeth, not meeting Harry's eye, "Thanks for bringing Hogwarts a victory. You- you-" he shot Harry a look of defiant rage, "You did really well. You should be proud."

And without another word Malfoy turned back into the crowd, but not before Harry could see the pink flush creeping up his cheeks. Harry was in shock. Malfoy didn't blush! Malfoy didn't come up to his worst enemy and compliment him! What was going on?

"Malfoy!" Harry cried, calling out to the retreating Slytherin.

"What is it, Potter?" He said, grimly, turning his pale, pointed face once more to Harry.

"I, err," Harry hesitated. "Just- Thanks! Thank you."

Malfoy looked shocked for a minute and then he gave Harry an indulgent smile, looking back at the ground, to hide his blush. "You're welcome Potter," he said softly, turning away again. This time Harry watched him go, and didn't stop him. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but it made him happy inside.

Harry's leg was steadily weakening, and he found himself leaning more and more on Cedric, who was smiling and waving at different people, having released the cup. Harry wondered what Cedric was thinking. He studied the grinning face, the way Cedric's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.

As though sensing Harry's gaze, Cedric turned and looked down at the black haired boy. His wide grin vanished to be replaced with a slightly awed smile. And before Harry knew what was happening, Cedric had put a hand under his chin. He leaned closer to Harry, the arm around his back drawing him nearer, and kissed him.