Minerva McGonagall was approached by a student with a paper in his hand, with words from Professor Sprout written on them in great anger, this hadn't come as a surprise to her at all. Classes had just started up at Hogwarts and it was becoming a ritual that the year would be started off with Sirius Black and James Potter being placed in detention for something catastrophic. Last year she had been the one to place them in detention when they transfigured a stack of cups into spiders and proceeded to throw them at a Slytherin girl. Though their transfigurations were marvelous, she had them both put in detentions for a week writing numerous time the sentence 'we will not throw spiders at any student.' Despite herself, she smiled at the way Professor Sprout had written not just 'Sirius Black' but she had written 'YOUR STUDENT AND GRYFFINDOR SIRIUS BLACK'.
Once again, Sirius had been sent to the office of Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor house. He sat in a chair at the front of her classroom and leaned casually, honing his rebellious teenager look. Professor McGonagall glared at his posture
"I expect more from my students, even from you." she folded her arms on the desk. "Herbology is a subject that I advise you take seriously, Mister Black, you may need it one day."
"What can I say-?" Sirius said arrogantly.
"Frankly, I don't care what you have to say." The Professor stood up and walked up to the young Sirius, "I've scheduled you a tutor."
Professor McGonagall did her best disappointed mother look.
"I don't think Sprout's got time for me. She does have to clean the ceiling. Anyway, I don't need a tutor." Sirius smirked at the memory of the yellow acid that spurted from the plant as he left a handful of Dragon Dung in the pot with the Cecylahys Plant.
"She won't be doing anything for the next few days, as well as the three other students that are in the infirmary because of your stunt." The disapproving look on Professor McGonagall's face tore into Sirius, "Be in my room at eight tonight."
"Professor, don't you think that you are being a little rash on assigning me a tutor, It's just the beginning of the year." Sirius groaned.
"Maybe a tutor could teach you where and where not to put your dragon dung." Professor McGonagall said, "Be here at six for your detention."
Sirius glanced at the clock before getting up, only two hours to spare.
As transfigurations was ending and Lydia Hattaway started to gather her stuff to head to Potions, Professor McGonagall held her back and led her up to the front desk.
"Professor Sprout tells me that you are doing outstanding in Herbology." Professor McGonagall started tactfully.
Lydia simply nodded her head in response.
"I'm in need of a tutor for a Gryffindor student. I'm willing to offer extra credit."
Lydia's eyebrows rose at this. She knew that as a student, she was well above average, but she couldn't fathom trying to teach someone, "And you want me?" Her voice sounded meek and girlish.
"Well, I would prefer you." She took to straightening papers on her desk, "But if I need to find someone else…"
"I'd- um…" Lydia contemplated her answer, "I'll try."
"My room at eight, please." She gave Lydia a smile.
"Accio book." Lydia summoned Hogwarts a History off the Gryffindor common room table, nearly missing the book as if flew towards her. She just started to read when Sirius Black and James Potter strutted in, with mischievous smiles on their faces.
"You should have heard Bertram scream." James laughed, "It was like a little girl."
The two laughed while Lydia tried to read, much to her discontent. Unfortunately, this is the normal ritual after one of their friends does something mischievous in class.
"McGonagall gave me detention." Sirius said promisingly, "You've still got an hour to join me."
"Some of us need to practice." James flopped on the couch and propped his feet on the coffee table.
"She's forcing me to take lessons, outside class." Sirius frowned.
Lydia felt horrified. She had expected to have to help somebody younger than she was.
"Maybe you'll get a hot Ravenclaw to teach you." They spouted into another fit of laughter.
Forcing herself to keep her eyes on her book, Lydia thought of her conversation with Professor McGonagall earlier. In exchange for helping Sirius in Herbology, a subject that she was quite adept in, Lydia would get extra credit in transfiguration; after being so nervous during a tests that she turned a rat into a goblet with feet and a rat head, she felt that it was necessary to rack up as many points as she could.
James ceremoniously ruffled the dark brown hair on his head as he delved into a conversation about "Snivellus". Although she detested their behavior, she couldn't help but see why the other Gryffindor girls swooned over them. James had a ruggedly handsome style, with that were delectably hazel that were covered in circular rimmed glasses. Sirius had wavy black hair that contrasted perfectly with his shining gray eyes.
After having heard enough of their laughter, Lydia went into the girls and sat on her bed. Kendra, one of Lydia's closest friends, sat on her bed alone as she pet her pet.
"Who's a fat little toad?" She cooed, "You's just the fattest little toad."
"I'm giving lessons to Sirius." Lydia groaned.
"Oh my god." Kendra laughed, "Why?"
"He's terrible at Herbology and I need the credit." Lydia ran a hand through her hair.
"Messing up once isn't going to kill your transfiguration grade."
"How did you know that it was for Professor McGonagall?" She asked.
"You've been in a funk all week over the whole goblet incident." Kendra shoved her toad into a cage under her bed, "Do me a favor and put in a good word about me. Maybe you could set me up with Remus."