Rolanda Hooch

Madam Rolanda Hooch is the Flying instructor and Quidditch referee at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Known for her sharp, hawk-like eyes and a strict, no-nonsense demeanor, she is responsible for teaching first-year students the basics of flying on a broomstick. As the official arbiter of school Quidditch matches, she is a staunch advocate for fair play and has little tolerance for rule-breaking. Her first name, Rolanda, was revealed on the Pottermore website (Pottermore).

Madam Hooch's role in the series is primarily centered around her duties at Hogwarts. During Harry Potter's first-ever Flying lesson, she demonstrated a firm but competent teaching style. When Neville Longbottom lost control of his broom and broke his wrist, she escorted him to the Hospital Wing, forbidding any student from flying in her absence. This command was defied by Harry and Draco Malfoy, leading to Harry's discovery as a natural Seeker by Professor McGonagall. As the Quidditch referee, Madam Hooch officiated many of Gryffindor's most significant matches. During Harry's first game, she was an impartial observer to the chaos caused by Professor Quirrell jinxing Harry's Nimbus 2000, though Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley initially suspected Professor Snape. She refereed the match in Harry's second year where a rogue Bludger, bewitched by Dobby, relentlessly pursued Harry. In his third year, she was present during the match against Hufflepuff when Dementors swarmed the pitch, causing Harry to fall from his broom. Madam Hooch was among the Hogwarts staff who remained to fight during the Battle of Hogwarts, demonstrating her loyalty to the school and its students in the final confrontation against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Madam Hooch is described as having short, grey, spiky hair and piercing, yellow eyes like a hawk. This physical trait complements her sharp and observant personality, which is essential for refereeing fast-paced Quidditch matches. She is exceptionally strict and demands discipline from her students. She has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating and foul play, often penalizing players without hesitation. Despite her stern exterior, she is not unfair. She respects genuine talent, as evidenced by her professional, though not overly warm, interactions with skilled players like Harry. Her primary concerns are always the safety of the players and the integrity of the game.

• Expert Flier: As the Hogwarts Flying instructor, Madam Hooch is presumed to be an exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable flier.
• Quidditch Refereeing: Her keen eyesight and comprehensive knowledge of the rules of Quidditch make her an authoritative and effective referee.
• Teaching: She is responsible for providing the foundational flying skills for all first-year students at Hogwarts.

• Silver Whistle: Madam Hooch uses a silver whistle to start and stop Quidditch matches and to signal fouls.
• Broomstick: While her personal broomstick is not described in the novels, she fondly remembers her old Silver Arrow broomstick (J.K. Rowling's old website).

Madam Hooch maintains a professional relationship with her students and colleagues. She interacts frequently with Quidditch captains, such as Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, and Roger Davies, to ensure matches are conducted properly. While she respects Harry Potter's innate flying ability, she offers him no special treatment on the pitch. She works alongside other staff members like Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore and appears to respect the Hogwarts command structure.

The surname “Hooch” is a slang term for cheap or illicitly produced alcoholic spirits. While the name does not have a clear magical meaning, it has an old-fashioned, slightly gruff sound that fits her character's personality. It might also be a subtle play on the word “high,” relating to her role as a flying instructor.

• Madam Hooch's first name, Rolanda, is not mentioned in the seven novels and was first revealed by J.K. Rowling on the Pottermore website (Pottermore).
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Madam Hooch is portrayed by actress Zoë Wanamaker. The character does not appear in subsequent films, and her refereeing duties are either omitted or performed by other characters on screen.
• A longstanding fan theory suggested that Madam Hooch contributed one of the enchantments protecting the Philosopher's Stone. However, the books confirm the protectors were Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall, Professor Quirrell, Professor Snape, and Albus Dumbledore, with no mention of a contribution from Madam Hooch.