Author's note: I want to thank everyone for reviewing my story thus far! I said in my last story that I won't write unless I get 3 reviews, I didn't expect to get 15!!! So I'm writing the last chapter, don't tickle me!

Rolanda's eyes were open in horror at the appearance in the mirror, though it wasn't necessary. From the moment she noticed the tiny ant under Darleen's trunk she guessed what had happened, but refused to believe it. Now it was a fact.

Something went wrong with her Transfiguration.

Her dorm mates rushed in at the sound of screaming and glass breaking and found the distraught Rolanda on the floor in the bathroom. The mirror was shattered to pieces, the work of her now bloodied hand, but that did not erase what has happened. Her friends gasped as they saw her features. Instead of her normal yellow eyes, they were the exact same color…Only different. Now the pupils were mere slits, mimicking a bird of prey's eyes and her hair was tainted with silver strands. They didn't say anything, simply escorted her to the Hospital Wing. Madame Greenland gave her a sedative and she was out in a matter of moments.

******

Rolanda Hooch woke up startled and looked around her. Her eyes hurt from the intensity of their sensitivity and Madame Greenland noticed it, apologized and quickly closed the curtain.

"What? Where?" Rolanda asked confused.

"You're in the Hospital Wing, my dear," Madame Greenland said smiling. "You'll be all right."

"The game!" Rolanda shrieked, jumping up.

"I'm afraid you'll be missing it", she answered sadly.

"What? But my team is depending on me-"

"You should have thought about that before you tried a stunt like this!" Came the angry voice of Professor James.

"Freda, please!" Madame Greenland tried to block the angry professor's path. "She's not well!"

"Oh by the time I'm through with her she'll be more than just 'not well'", Professor James hissed, causing Rolanda to flinch.

"The poor girl made a mistake! A silly mistake and she will pay the price," Madame Greenland said sadly.

"Why will I miss the game?" Rolanda asked worriedly. "I'm fine, really."

"Fine? You deranged child!" Professor James spat.

"I will have to ask you to leave, Freda! How dare you speak to a child that way!" Madame Greenland said with equal anger. Professor James left without a pause, not sparing Rolanda a second glance.

"What's going on?" Rolanda asked fearfully.

"Perhaps the Headmaster better explain-"

"No! I need to know!" Rolanda said harshly. Then a bit more gently: "Please."

Madame Greenland sighed and sat at the edge of her bed. "Sit down my child."

For once in her life Rolanda did as she was told and sat apprehensively.

"There are rules about becoming an Animagi for a reason", she said gently. "It's a tricky business and as you probably know by now, a lot can go wrong." A shiver ran up Rolanda's spine, but she remained quiet.

"Because of your…Actions, you cannot be permitted to play Quidditch."

"What?" Rolanda asked jumping to her feet. "Surely there's a way to reverse it!"

"There is no cure known, I'm afraid", Madame Greenland said sympathetically. "You will have that sight for the rest of your life."

Rolanda tried hard not to break down in tears, but it was all too overwhelming.

"On the bright side, having superb vision is never bad", Madame Greenland tried to lighten her up. Rolanda simply nodded.

"That's it then. My life is over!" Rolanda said quietly. Madame Greenland hugged her tightly and whispered.

"Life isn't just about Quidditch."

"No", Rolanda agreed silently. "But it mostly is."

********

YEARS LATER

Rolanda Hooch sat in a bar waiting for an old friend. She was in her fourth drink when he finally showed up, his bright eyes shining.

"How are you Xiomara?" He asked, referring to her old nickname at school.

"Surviving", she said darkly. "But I hear congratulations are in order…Headmaster." She raised her glass, toasting for him.

"Rolanda…"Dumbledore trailed off, trying to find something to say.

"I hear Roderick Plumpton is doing well. Set a world record in catching a snitch", she said hollowly, thinking how it could be her Seeker for the Tutshill Tornados.

"You must get a hold of your life", Dumbledore said sadly.

"You're not my teacher anymore, so quit preaching." Rolanda spat bitterly.

"It's just advice from an old friend." He said, touching her hand briefly, before she pulled it away.

"Friend? I'm sorry, I don't know the meaning of the word. I used to know friends, but they all turned on me when I was disqualified." The memories still haunted her.

"Does self pity make you any happier?" He asked concerned. For the passed years she has been moving from one job to another, never steady, never happy.

"No, that's where drinking comes into the picture", she smirked and sipped her drink.

"I want to offer you a job."

"I don't need your help." She slammed the drink down hard.

"Yes you do", he said harshly. "Whether you like it or not. This is strictly professional, we need a Flying Instructor and a Quidditch referee."

"I'm banned from coming anywhere NEAR a Quidditch field, remember?" She laughed without mirth.

"You were banned from playing, but not from participating. I have spoken with the authorities involved and we've agreed that you may coach."

Rolanda gave him an odd look. "Why should I? That blasted game ruined my life!"

"The game did not ruin your life, Rolanda", he said calmly. "It was your ambition. You have learned a valuable lesson from your experience, would you not wish to share it with others? To make sure they not suffer the same fate you have?"

"They'd all know", Rolanda said emptily.

"What makes you think they don't already?"

"I can't face them", she said weakly, turning to face him.

"You have the strength to do so," Dumbledore strengthened her. "Look inside for the courage and audacity that made you the best damned Seeker this school has ever known." His eye twinkled. He got up to leave. "You'll know where to find me. Oh and by the way, I thought you might like to know that you received an official Animagi status."

Rolanda left the bar and headed to her apartment to pack. She was going back to the place that haunted her and she'd be damned if anyone were going to stop her. She smiled, feeling freer than she has in years and risked a peak at the window. It was a warm night and the thermal must be grand. A mischievous smile spread to her lips. She hadn't done it since that incident…

"Oh what the hell!" She called out and concentrated.

From the tenth floor, apartment C's window, a single eagle was seen flying off to the endless skies.

-THE END-

What did you think?

"We are collecting donations for the RIE charity, "Raising Ivy's Ego". Please place a small review in the box below and you will help raise Ivy's ego to grass level."

Oh and people who review, if you leave a username or an alias name you might have a surprise waiting for you in a HP story I'm about to write called: 'Ripple In Time'. It's a thank you fic I'm writing to people who reviewed my story, thank you! You've made my day with your reviews and compliments and I've smiled the broadest thanks to them.

So thank you all! You've driven me to write this fic the best I could! I appreciate it and I hope you enjoyed the results.