Character Appreciation: professional Quidditch player

Count Your Buttons: Rolanda Hooch

Auction: secret relationship

Holmes: angry, kissing, "I never know what to expect with you."

Word Count: 398


Rolanda knows she shouldn't be angry, but it's so damn hard sometimes. She had known that getting into a relationship with Gwenog wouldn't be an easy thing. As a professional Quidditch player, Gwenog is a celebrity, and people are always watching her. Someone seeing her with Rolanda could mean the end of her career.

She had been understanding for such a long time. Keeping it a secret had been painful, but she loves Gwenog too much to complain.

But this?

Rolanda takes a deep breath trying to steady herself. She blinks rapidly, but the image stays the same. There, emblazoned on the front page of the Daily Prophet, is her girlfriend, locking lips with a man—Jordan Yewbeam, the Keeper for the Catapults.

Her blood boils, and she can't stop herself. Blinking back angry tears, she rips the paper in half. It isn't enough. Again and again, Rolanda shreds it, but it does nothing to calm the storm that rages inside her.

"I never know what to expect with you." Gwenog's voice draws her out of her thoughts. "Last time I was here, you had breakfast waiting for me. Today, you're shredding the damn newspaper."

Rolanda glares at her lover, lips curling into a scowl. "Only because the newspaper showed my girlfriend snogging Jordan Yewbeam," she snaps.

Gwenog winces, and there's something in her dark eyes that makes the anger fade. "It was after our last match against the Falcons." She tugs at her black braid. "What the photographer failed to report was that I shoved him away and threatened to press charges."

Rolanda feels ridiculous. She really should have known better. Gwenog has been so good to her. Maybe it's the secrets and the hiding that has her so on edge.

Gwenog closes the distance between them, wrapping her toned arms around Rolanda and pulling her into a passionate kiss. "I love you, Ro," she whispers. "Only you."

It's a blur of noise and light and motion. Rolanda watches as the Harpies' Seeker catches the Snitch. Moments later, Gwenog is by her side, pulling her onto the Quidditch pitch.

"What are you doing?" Rolanda asks, eyes wide as she tries to comprehend.

"Celebrating a victory with my girlfriend," Gwenog says before capturing her in a kiss.

Rolanda wants to ask, to know if she's sure, if this is worth the risk.

But she just lets it happen.