Royale Palace

END

(Heart beats fast, lagi-lagi merasa Draco perhatian dan peduli padaku.) (Shaking my heads avoiding the absurd feeling.) (Menatap punggungnya yang menjauh) It's impossible, he doesn't like me that way... (Berbalik badan, menuju lukisan Nyonya Gemuk)

The forest is not a place for wishes. Be careful. (Turned and walked away)

(Terkejut dengar kau memanggilku. Cepat cepat berbalik badan.) (Tatapan penuh tanya) Ya?

Arcadia..

Good night, Malfoy. And... thank you again for— everything. (Turning around slowly, heading to the Fat Lady)

(Cutting you off) Good night.

(Realizing I should express my gratitude rather than stating the obvious) Ah, thank you!! Truly, Malfoy. I— (biting my lip, merasa bodoh sudah bicara seperti tadi)

(Avoiding giving a response to that) You're welcome.

(Berhenti berjalan, berdiri menghadapmu, takut-takut melihat ke arahmu)

I never thought I'd see the day when I could have such a meaningful conversation with Draco Malfoy....

(Neared the entrance to Gryffindor tower, paused.) This is where I leave you, Arcadia.

(Hanya mengangguk pelan. Tidak tahu mau berkata apa. Perasaan campur aduk rasanya)

(We continued walking, the distance between us growing shorter. The tension of the night's revelations hung in the air, but there was also an undeniable bond forming between us.)

(Sampai di dekat menara Gryffindor)

It’s not your fault.

(Menatapmu dari samping, serasa melihat sisi lain dari dirimu) I see... (Menatap ujung sepatuku, rasanya ingin memelukmu tapi sadar kita tidak sedekat itu) I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories...

(Breaking the silence, my voice soft) I've seen things, Arcadia. Done things. Some I'm not proud of. I've been forced to grow up in ways I never imagined.

Hng... Kurang lebih begitu... (Menunduk, biting my lip)

(Terdiam sejenak, tidak tahu harus berkata apa.) (Banyak sekali kata-kata yang mau kukatakan tapi tidak bisa.)

(A bitter chuckle) Trying to understand the enigma that is Draco Malfoy?

(Voice quivering) I didn't mean to overstep. I was just... I don't know... trying to understand you, maybe?