Disclaimer: All characters belong to the wonderful J.K Rowling. All hail the creator! XD

The Joys of Teaching

Sometimes, I really hate my job.

"What gave you the idea to transfigure the gargoyles in front of Professor Dumbledore's office into a pair of large chocolate frogs?" I demanded.

Two teenage boys sat comfortably in front me, identical looks of innocence on their faces; James Potter and Sirius Black, the plague of my life.

"Professor McGonagall, how could you just accuse us of doing such a thing," Sirius asked in a hurt tone.

I visibly started. "Well…did you do it?"

"Of course," James laughed.

"We can not tell a lie," Sirius added a hand solemnly placed over his heart.

"I seriously doubt that," I murmured.

"Sorry Professor," Sirius grinned, "I missed that last comment." He placed a finger in his ear and pretended to clear it. "Could you repeat that?"

"Never mind," I said briskly, "Now, as for your punishment—"

"May we suggest detention with Hagrid," James interrupted, "We haven't been in the Forest for over a week."

I opened my mouth but was, again, cut off.

"Or perhaps cleaning the bathrooms without magic," Sirius proposed, "The look on Lily's face when she saw James in rubber gloves was priceless."

Sirius smiled at the memory. A blushing James whacked him upside the head. In response Sirius pulled out a photograph of James scrubbing a toilet, James tried to snatch it away but Sirius jumped up, holding it out of reach.

Before I knew it the two of them were rolling around on the ground, Sirius screaming "Bloody murder!" and James alternating between strangling his best friend and trying to grab the unflattering photo.

"Enough!" I shouted, causing them both to freeze.

In one smooth motion James yanked the picture from Sirius' hand and began shredding it into little pieces. James returned to his seat with a pleased grin. Sirius followed more slowly, and for a moment stood behind his friend. With a wink directed at me, he pulled out another picture that was identical to the one they had recently battled over. He inconspicuously slipped it back into his robes and returned to his chair.

I drew a deep calming breath. Those boys could test the patience of a rock.

"You will be serving your detention with Professor Slughorn," I told them through narrowed eyes, "You will be acting as waiters for his get-together tomorrow evening."

"We'll clean the entire castle—" James pleaded hurriedly.

"By hand—" Sirius added equally as panicked.

"Wearing pink dresses!" James finished in a strangled voice.

Sirius frowned in thought. "Alright, in pink dresses," he agreed, "but nothing to short, I'm self-conscious about my knees."

"As tempting as that is," I managed to say without a single hint of the giggles I was containing, "You will serve detention with Professor Slughorn. This is not up for discussion. Now, return to your dormitory."

They left grumbling. As soon as the door shut behind them I let my mouth relax into a large smile and dissolved into giggles.

Sometimes, I really love my job.

A/N This is a one-shot that was written for the Fawkes Reunion challenge (I'll be posting the link in my profile later, probably sometime tomorrow...). Anywho, guess what? It won! Woot! So I hope you enjoyed it, don't forget to review to tell me what you think!

Arigatou,

MegTao