Hi everyone who read my tamora pierce fiction. I am sorry about not writing Sherwood Smith but there are so many good ones already that it is hard to think original. I thank my beta reader for her help. I hope that you enjoy this until my brain gets back in writing gear.

Chapter One

Three weeks into the new term of the Marauders' final year at Hogwarts, Black was cracking under the strain of his best friend's, James, restricting their pranks to once a week as he seemingly did some growing up over the summer. Sirius had taken the opposite view for seventh year.

Shadowed behind a statue full of armour Sirius Black watched with anticipation as his small prank began to enfold. Of course his target was Snivellus Snape as the tension between the two had reached new heights after the 'Remus incident'. His plan was simple – before Snape would enter the hall for dinner Black would casually cast a spell that would permanently turned all of Snape's clothing to bright pink, even down to his underwear. This was a very juvenile thing to do, even Sirius admitted to himself, but in doing something so childish he thought he would escape suspicion from his group of friends. They would never suspect their highly intelligent, flirtatious, good-looking womaniser as to do a crude spell like this. How little they did they know.

As the clock above the great hall began to hoot the hour of seven, mirroring the nightlife outside in the grounds, like clockwork Snape appeared from the dungeon section of the castle where all Slytherins dwelled. The mischievous glint popped into Sirius' dark eyes and his handsome broke into a brilliant grin. Quietly but quickly Sirius shuffled his body to the right of the suit of arms, so only his arm was visible, and muttered the incarnation which he had only discovered last week when forced into visiting the library with Remus for a restricted Dark Arts book. He had been under the illusion that they were on a visit to the school's kitchen or he would never left his place in the centre of attention he was getting from the girls of Ravenclaw.

Snape, unaware of the change of colouring, continued to glide like a snake into the hall for dinner only to be greeted with spontaneous howling and unexpected loud laughter. The noise filtered through to Sirius position who now removed himself from his hiding and grinned unrepentant into empty space. One for me, nil to Snivellus!

Preparing to enter the hall, Sirius gave himself the once look over. He dusted away the cobwebs clinging to his tall frame and brushed a hand through his black hair. It wouldn't help to look guilty would it now, thought Sirius, especially to my adoring fans. He smirked at his popularity. He couldn't care less about the gaggling group of girls hanging around the Marauders due to their fame at breaking the rules, handsome good looks and their charming personalities. He cared for his friends. Though admittedly Sirius wasn't complaining.

Straightening himself up Sirius moved towards the large doors, nearly skipping with excitement at the thought of him pulling a prank on his enemy and getting away with it. James would never suspect him at that and Remus believed that Black had gone back to the Griffindor common room to dump his bag while Peter didn't understand half the time what the three were talking about. Chuckling at the picture of Peter's confused face Sirius took another step closer to his dinner.

"I have to say Snape is going to hate this week of schooling with everyone sniggering", laughed Sirius to the empty corridor, "Oh the fun to know it was me!"

"Stop right there Mr Black," commanded a voice, "you will be coming with me."

Black spun round to face a young Professor MacGongall, who started teaching the same time Sirius came in first year. But now she was standing formidably at the top of the marble staircase glaring down at him with her owl like eyes. He had been caught. Hopefully it won't be that bad, prayed Sirius but as he put on his lopsided smile, the Head of Griffindor countenance blazed with annoyance.

"Professor," Sirius was kicking himself inside, "how pleasant to see you. You are looking lovely by the way as always."

"Don't try to butter me up Black. Office now, as we can discuss Hogwarts school rules, particularly the one about using magic treacherously on an unaware student and the consequence of one's action, called punishment."

"But you have already explained the dangers of performing the spell of exploding toilets to me Professor on Thursday. And I have seriously seen the errors of my way." Sirius flashed a dazzling smile at MacGongall hoping to put his charm to good use.

"I have disciplined you for that already but not for the changing of Mr.Snape's clothing!" exasperation evident in her voice. "Come along Black to my office now!" she had spun around at the top of the staircase waiting for the culprit to obey her orders.

"But Professor," interrupted Sirius, "I haven't had dinner yet!"

"Is that a confession Sirius and at such an early stage too?" MacGongall actually smiled slightly, "you're losing your touch. Why I was actually waiting to see what fantastic explanation you were about to bestow on me."

Black smacked his hand to his forehead at giving MacGongall the upper hand on the whole situation. What is the point Padfoot of setting up something like this and crumbling at the last moment? Next time just write down your plan and hand it to her. Save you the bother of looking like a prat or even trying to wriggle your way out of detention with Filch in the trophies room.

Knowing he had lost the chance of feeling glorious at achieving something people would talk about for the next couple of days and not getting caught sapped out all of his witty energy. Defeated, Sirius climbed the stairs to meet his doom like it would be his last day on earth. MacGongall appeared furious from the outside. Nothing had worked in deterring the Marauders from setting up the most elaborate pranks through the seven years that she had become Head. In fact James and Sirius knew the routine off by heart that on occasion they would mimic MacGongall's speech of proper conduct.

MacGongall steered him to her office, decorated in red and gold representing her House, and gestured him to sit down in front of her table. Sitting behind the desk, Professor MacGongall sighed loudly and rubbed her eyes, while looking across at Sirius Black who was a regular to her office. Throughout the school years the four Marauders would grace her presence nearly everyday. However, after entering their final year MacGongall noticed a subtle change in three of them. Their whole manner was subdued from bursting with energy to a thoughtful state of reflection. She understood James reasoning for lowering his active involvement of trouble making, as everyone knew about his attraction to Lily Evans. She smiled at the influence that Evans was having over one the most law breaking students ever to grace Hogwarts.

Now she noted Sirius in a different light, he is trying to fit in to the new development of his friends yet he preferred to entertain himself with picking on others. It could be to a certain extent of bullying. Though MacGongall had a soft spot for this unruly student due to his infectious charisma he still broke the rules which meant detention. Nevertheless MacGongall thought it pointless deterrent, as Mr Black would strike again soon after he had spare time to think of another way in annoying Snape. What Black needed was responsibility and a different diversion for his free time.

Her voice filled the lingering silence "What do you have to say in your defence Mr Black?" Her eyebrows rose as if expecting him to deny the whole thing altogether.

Tearing his eyes away from the fireplace he gazed at his Head. "I thought the colour suited his complex better. I was doing really a service Professor to the school by making him more normal. If that is possible, of course." Sirius kept his face solemn and serious and he was rewarded with a twitch of a smile on MacGongall's lips before turning back to her stone stare.

"What am I going to do with you Mr Black?"

"Pat me on the back and allow me to go the hall and have something to eat?" said a hopeful Sirius.

"Don't be so insolent and no to your idea. It would totally undermine the whole point of the principals of obeying the rules," replied the Professor frowning slightly, "however I won't let you waste away." With a wave of her wand from her robes, Sirius was presented with dinner – sausages, gravy, mash and greens while his gold goblet was filled with pumpkin juice. "Eat before it gets cold."

Sirius beamed his appreciation at MacGongall and tucked into the warm food after receiving the quick nod to do so. As MacGongall busied herself in tidying her papers into neat piles and thinking over the dilemma about Black's detention, in under ten minutes Black has managed to satisfy his stomach, making the prospect of polishing the hospital's bedpans less daunting. But he knew he could make things a lot worse if he acted too cocky now when she delivered her retribution. Hogsmeade weekend for Halloween was nearing and to upset MacGongall could leave him with a ban which means no roaming around with his fellow Marauders in the village. Just as quickly the plates had arrived they disappeared in front of him.

"Now to return to the object of your punishment Black, what do you think is suitable for being the sole person in embarrassing Mr Snape who will probably will have to wait a whole week for that bright colour to wear off and considering he will have to endure countless remarks and taunts from others?"

Look innocent; look like you actually feel guilty for once! "Anything you think appropriate... but." Sirius stopped, as he didn't want to beg for lenience.

"But what Mr Black?"

"Don't ban me from Hogsmeade weekend".

MacGongall's answer to his plea was disrupted by s quiet knock at the door.

"Come in!" commanded the Professor.

As the squeaky door was pushed opened, a girl slipped quietly into the room as if she had the ability to be invisible. Black gave her a glance of interest as she wore the Gryffindor uniform yet couldn't recall her name. Wavy brown hair hid most of her features though Sirius' noticed a pair of blue eyes. Nevertheless finding nothing pretty about her return to looking at MacGongall. This was taking longer that Sirius wanted.

"Sorry Professor, I didn't know you were busy but you missed our meeting and... well I thought you might have forgotten." The girl shifted her books from one arm to another as almost scared as receiving punishment for coming to the door. She felt her face burning with embarrassment at her situation.

"Dear me Jenkins" MacGongall began flustered, "I totally forgot about the extra tutoring on transfigurations I proposed."

Sirius covered his mouth with his hand to smother the snigger. Extra classes! How did she get into Gryffindor?

MacGongall quickly noted the movement and her deepening annoyance reached new heights at Sirius' complete lack of maturity and tact.

"I beg your pardon, I was delayed by Mr Black's childish behaviour. Apparently he lacks readiness in growing up." MacGongall's attention did not waver from Sirius though she was addressing Jenkins.

The girl's eyes widened at the carefree expression on the famous Sirius Black to the death glare on MacGongall's face. Before she could stop herself, "Good luck trying" came out as a whisper but was heard by all ears.

The Head of Gryffindor smiled slightly at the unprompted remark.

"Will I come back tomorrow or leave it until next week?" inquired the girl, it was becoming increasingly hard not to turn red from the flabbergasted look stuck on the famous womaniser of the whole school. What would Sara give to be here in this room with him. She could curse herself at letting words slip out of her mouth but she was sure no one would hear.

Raine Jenkins did not want to bring unwanted attention from anyone especially a Marauder, particularly him, who could make your life pretty hell. Her mind took on a ranting session. You have survived six years of not being noticed and now you go and proclaim yourself as a willing target! Raine you just have perfect timing!

"No, tomorrow would be best. After dinner at eight, however I must admit that I feel myself strained from the pressure of other commitments so I have asked Sirius Black to be your tutor. He is one of our three highest achievers in the subject."

Sirius' face began to resemble a goldfish breathing for air as he stared up at the uncompromising MacGongall that he did not even register the doubled shocked expression of the plain girl.

"He will be helping you until the Christmas holidays in which I want to see an improvement on your grades Jenkins if not then Black will be teaching you twice a week til the end of the year."

Sirius squirmed in his chair with MacGongall basically hovering over him, as if ready to pounce on him if he made the wrong move. Jenkins could not believe her misfortune; this day must be the worst day of my life.

"Where will we meet?" asked Raine glancing from the Professor to Black unsure as who would give an answer. Crossing her arms, MacGongall raised an eyebrow at the silent Black expecting him to take charge.

Coughing to regain the use of his throat he turned to the sixth year student and said "We can probably use an empty classroom to practise."

"You can use mine", interjected MacGongall, "as you will be needing books and such materials for your tutoring Black."

With a nod of dismissal from her Head of House Raine quickly escaped from the office and headed to the sanctuary of the common room.

When the door finally clicked Sirius Black jumped out of his seat and started pacing the room. After much reflection in two minutes he return to his place and announced, "I can't do it Professor".

"And why ever not Black?"

"ME! Teach! I don't know how. Remus is a better choice, far more responsible and clever at the subject. Even James could keep track on things and have a sensible head on. ME! I'll probably forget about the teaching and use my charms to..."

"Please Black let this old lady have some rumours left as rumours," interrupting his mad rant. "This is what you need to be, more conscientious of your fellow class mates and what better way than to help one in her studies?"

"What if she fails and it is all down to me!" demanded Sirius

"Hopefully that won't happen, but if it does then you will be receiving detention everyday for the rest of your final year", said MacGongall in her coldest tone.