A rose for Belrose

[Lizzie Parker-Taylor]

Lizzie was especially excited about the red rose she had to deliver, standing out bright amongst the rest. She decided to take that one right up to its recipient at lunchtime, grinning as she approached the Slytherin table, eyes seeking out her target. "Sheridan Belrose?" She called out, smiling. "Delivery for Sheridan Belrose!"

 

[Sheridan Belrose]

Since the catastrophe that was the beginning of the year, Sheridan had been keeping a low profile. It was hard to avoid a poltergeist and still be a functioning member of the student body, but the Slytherin managed to slink into the Great Hall to eat, regardless. He was quite sure no one had witnessed his arrival, and so sat among his Slytherin colleagues, blending in among them and picking at a sandwich. The poor boy almost choked when his name was called out by some random Gryffindor girl, and he was not interested in anything she had - as a Gryffindor, she would probably know Daisy, and it was probably some horrible trick he wasn't in the mood to be the target of. After failing to slid under the table, an older Slytherin boy got fed up and tossed him out to the aisle, where he was face to face with... Roses? Oh yeah. Valentine's Day. Why did he bother getting up?

"Um... Hi?"

 

[Lizzie Parker-Taylor]

Lizzie had been preoccupied scanning the other end of the table when she heard a scuffle in the seats behind her. Spinning around quickly, she beamed as she saw the boy the special rose was clearly destined for. "Hi!" She said excitedly. "Are you Sheridan? I've got a special delivery for you!"

 

[Sheridan Belrose]

Dear God, could he just drop dead? He stared at the slightly younger girl blankly, not quite comprehending the fact that he would be able to get a rose. He didn't even like anyone, let alone have anyone like him. Slightly standoffish at the girl's apparent excitement, Sheridan stared at her. "Yeah, I am," he said finally, not seeing the harm in affirming what they both already knew. Maybe she was lost, and he didn't actually have to talk to her. "Why?"

 

[Lizzie Parker-Taylor]

Lizzie beamed excitedly, oblivious to Sheridan's lack of enthusiasm. With an extra flourish she had reserved for the only red rose in her batch, she produced the flower and its attached message, holding them out to Sheridan proudly. "Ta da! Happy Valentines day, a very special red rose just for you!" Lizzie beamed with delight, waiting eagerly to see the look on the boy's face when he read the private message, which Lizzie assumed had to be full of warmth and affection, having been attached to such a special rose.

Spoiler: Message

Dear Sheridan Belrose

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I was made pretty
What happened to you?

Love your secret admirer

 

[Sheridan Belrose]

Sheridan begrudgingly accepted the rose, if only to find out why he got one. As soon as he read the note, however, he knew exactly who it was. Daisy. Clearly this girl hadn't read the note, which was somewhat sweet, but it also meant that she completely wasted his time, as well as her own. Putting on his best smile, he inclined his head to her. "Thank you for not reading the note," he told her, pulling out his wand. He dropped the rose to the floor and set it aflame with a bluebell flame charm, getting a small amount of satisfaction in watching the petals wither and die at his feet. "You have a good day." It was now time to find Daisy, who would be sitting at the Gryffindor table, probably having a good ol' laugh at his expense - as always.

Sheridan's blood was boiling as he tracked the girl down, and stood in front of her. "I hope you're proud," he spat, folding his arms across his chest. "Stay away from me, Daisy. You're a useless waste of space!"

 

[Daisy Parker-Taylor]

Daisy had finished her deliveries and she was feeling wonderful. It was the best job she had ever had, Daisy loved seeing the expressions and reactions that people had after receiving their roses and notes. She was having a bite to eat at the Gryffindor table, when Sheridan appeared in front of her. The Gryffindor greeted him with a grin, thinking he'd be able to take a joke, but it quickly disappeared at his comment. Suddenly she wasn't very hungry anymore. "Fine." Daisy commented, agreeing to stay away from him. How rude. She stood up and pushed past him, trying to not let his words get to her. Sure, she had been mean, but she was just joking. He wasn't. Daisy didn't think she was useless, or a waste of space. She flicked a tear that fell away, storming up to the Common Room.

 

[Lizzie Parker-Taylor]

The glee and delight with which Lizzie had handed over her only special rose quickly faded from her face as the rose went up in flames, watching in stunned silence as events unfolded before her. What was going on between them? How could a rose make someone so upset? What had that note said? Upset and embarrassed by everything her special delivery had caused, Lizzie quickly slipped out of the Great Hall, wishing that perplexing delivery had fallen to someone else.