This is why I love Python.

api_method()

def api_method(function, start=None):
    """Returns a dictionary of methods from a list of methods returned."""
    method_list = function() #should be an iterable object of functions
    method_dict = dict()
    for method in method_list:
        if start:
            def combiner(*args):
                start()
                method(*args)
            method_dict[method.__name__] = combiner
        else:
            method_dict[method.__name__] = method
    return method_dict