Notes: I thought it would be interesting to write about a character who is often ignored. I chose"Rolanda" as Hooch's name because it sounded more natural and the Hooch in my imagination demanded to be called Ro. She also demanded the extremely cheesy title, by the way. I hope you enjoy, and please tell me what you think. Thanks.
Disclaimer: Any characters, places and other things in the world of Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling and the publisher, etc etc. I am not making money off this, I have no pocket, so save your money.
Summary: Looking at Rolanda Hooch's life through a series of snapshots.
Hooch Through The Ages
1.
A baby's gurgle broke the stillness of the night, and within seconds, introduced her parents to a whole new meaning of noise: she opened her mouth, dribbled, and wailed lustily.
Her father sighed with relief, holding his new daughter gingerly with the slightly intimidated and awed expression of a man only just introduced to parenthood. His wife looked up adoringly at the swaddled baby, tired but happy.
The midwife said cheerfully, "Well, there's nothing wrong with her lungs at any rate."
The father said nothing and could only smile through his tears.
2.
A little while later:
"My goodness," she said blankly. "Her eyes are yellow. Like a hawk's, don't you think?"
3.
It was an idyllic day, with blue sky and bright sunshine. She opened the shutters and let the morning air wash over her even as she washed the dishes. One could not escape chores, no matter how sunny days and fresh breezes tempted her to simply leave everything and go outside.
Something moving very fast in the sky caught her eye. Was that a bird? It would be quite a big one. No, it was a broom. She frowned. It couldn't be Robert; he was upstairs tinkering with his clocks. They weren't expecting any guests. Ro was playing outside. And the broom's movements were very erratic, behaving as if the rider was drunk. She leaned out further and squinted, a hint of suspicion blossoming…
Ro was playing outside!
With a gasp of dismay the dishes were forgotten. She wrung her hands distractedly and turned to run outside, calling frantically to her husband, "Ro's gotten into the brooms again!"
Up in the sky, unconsciously causing her parents heart attacks, three-year old Rolanda Hooch laughed delightedly as she discovered the joys of flight.
4.
Oh, dear. She's—
With an undignified skid the owl managed to land on the windowsill and ducked inside, safe for the time being from an utterly mad little girl who liked to chase owls on her broom. She should've known. All the neighbourhood birds had gossiped about this.
"Maria! Letter's here!"
The owl winced as the man's yell shocked her sensitive ears. She had not seen this strange human before and so took a minute to observe the man's dirty apron, round spectacles, and handlebar moustache. Several odd bits of metal were stuck in various apron pockets. An interesting being, she decided.
Remembering her duty, she stuck out her leg and let the man untie the letter. Out of habit, he tipped over a cup of water for her absentmindedly.
The owl hooted her thanks, but the man was already gone, screeching to his mate.
Crazy man, she thought, watching the edges of his apron disappear around a corner. Overexcited. Must be the heat.
After a couple sips of water, she wearily prepared to fly north back home. Before she lifted her wings she scanned the skies warily. It wouldn't do her reputation any good to have the maniac human girl after her again.
5.
The hat was too big. And it was old.
Without her ears, the hat would've dropped down to her nose. She frowned a bit and took the pointed hat off, her fingers running over the worn lining and the dusty felt.
"Dad, mum's hat's too big for me."
He shrugged and said, "We'll save some money this way, Ro."
She nodded, sighing dramatically and rolling her yellow eyes. Dad smiled and laughed. Frankly, she didn't care much about old hats or robes or books. She only wanted a new broom. Silver Arrows were getting so out of date.
6.
For the second time in a week, another big hat sat on Ro's head: the Sorting Hat.
That hat was bigger than her mum's. And it was very, very old. Older than her mum's.
Even her ears couldn't save it from sliding over her eyes. Feeling overwhelmed and lost, she sat on the stool and waited for the Hat's verdict. Coming from a family of Hufflepuffs, she had no doubt that would be her house. She didn't mind. Hufflepuff was every bit as good as the others. Still, she wondered in the weeks leading up to September the first whether she, Rolanda Hooch, was a Hufflepuff.
She didn't seem to fit their criteria. What would she do if she became a Hufflepuff and couldn't live up to—
That was when the Sorting Hat decided as well. It opened its mouth wide and shouted:
"Gryffindor!"
And young Rolanda Hooch breathed a sigh of relief. She could be as reckless as she wanted to be…!
And that's the end of the first instalment.