A Scary Rose

[Rose Holland]

Rose had saved this rose for last, and it wasn't because she looked forward to it. The girl hadn't taken Defence Against the Dark Arts in a few years, but she really couldn't say she had missed Professor Styx. She couldn't understand who would send him a rose, but she had it in her hand so someone must have. With a sigh, she knocked on his door. "Professor? Rose delivery." She said, deciding that stating why she was here right away was the smartest move.

 

[Kalif Styx]

It was a curious day. Valentine’s Day. Professor Styx was unsure when the last time he actually bothered with it. It had been some time. He heard a knock at his door and a small voice. He waved his hand at it and the door swung open, as his eyes landed on a Gryffindor prefect. With a rose. “Miss Holland,” spoke Kalif as he figured out what this was about. Good grief.
​

 

[Rose Holland]

Rose took a small step back when the door opened, but she kept a smile on her face as she looked at Professor Styx in his office. Awkwardly, she waved. "Hi Professor. I have a rose for you." She said, keeping the usual joke about her name in her head this time, stepping into his office with the yellow rose held out to him. "Happy Valentine's day." She added quickly.

The fact you came to me for advice means we're friends now. Deal with it. No take backs.

 

[Kalif Styx]

Kalif took the rose with his gloved hand, and then opened the note. Immediately, he knew who it was from. He gestured toward one of the candles floating in his room to come down, and he held the rose over the open flame. "You are dismissed, Holland," Kalif spoke while his eyes were on the rose, which started to turn black and burn.
​

 

[Rose Holland]

Rose was a little relieved when Professor Styx took the rose, as a part of her had imagined he would refuse and she would be left with it. But to her shock, the professor made a floating candle come to him and then set the rose on fire. Rose's mouth dropped open, she couldn't help it. A burst of nervous giggles rose in her chest, but she pushed them down. When he dismissed her, she nodded quickly and rushed out. A few giggles escaping her once she was safely outside his office. Who had sent a rose that bad that Professor Styx had to burn it? And whatever happened to simply throwing something away? It seemed very dramatic to set it on fire like that, but it did seem to suit Professor Styx in a way. Rose decided she needed to tell her friends about this, it had been a bizarre experience.