Off Limits
- solenn -

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to their original creator, J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: This fic was inspired by erak's "Hot for Teacher." I was devastated when I learned that he/she abandoned the fic.

Chapter 1 – Surprise Announcements

As far as James Potter could remember, he had always wanted to play Quidditch. He had gotten his first broom at the tender age of seven, much to his mother's dismay, and learned how to ride it in less than a month. When he started out at Hogwarts, the first thing he did (right after Sorting, of course) was approach Shacklebolt, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain, and infuriated him to his wit's end to accept him. He did anything and everything he thought he needed to do to join the team.

In his fourth year, Shacklebolt finally relented and James was accepted as a Chaser. By his sixth year, James was elected Captain—the youngest ever in Hogwarts' thousand year history—and he led the team to Gryffindor's first House Cup win in a decade. When he graduated, no one was surprised when James was offered to play Quidditch professionally and everyone predicted that he would one day lead Britain to win the coveted World Cup.

No one, not even his closest friends, had expected what James chose to do next. Right after a successful start in professional Quidditch—helping the team win a series of local matches—he decided to take a sabbatical.

Why on earth would Britain's star rookie choose to take a sabbatical? It was positively absurd. Some thought that he was being paid by rival teams' managers to take some time off. Others suspected that he was being gaoled for substance abuse, much like many of his Quidditch mates. The worse of the rumours said that James had gotten his ex-girlfriend pregnant, which he angrily denied. In a recent interview with James' best friend, Sirius Black, he stated that, "James is evidently going through a mid-life crisis right now and he needs your support." This comment failed to hinder the speculation of James' decision—James was, after all, only 20.

James Potter's sabbatical was certainly a mystery. Loyal Quidditch fans and James Potter's fan club waited patiently to hear anything that would shed some light to James' irrational decision. They didn't have to wait long, though. Two months later, on September 1st, they found out why.

--

1st of September, Hogwarts

Lily Evans was excited to start her first day back at Hogwarts. She couldn't wait to find out what her friends would say when they found out her unbelievable news. Over the summer, she received a letter stating that she had made head girl. Although she seemed like it, she wasn't exactly a model student. Yes, she was responsible and very bright, but she was also very cheeky and had once even gotten into an argument with her Defence teacher, Professor Merrythought. He had called her a first-rate nuisance, what with her constant talking in class and her sassy comments. She, in turn, called him a second-rate teacher, causing everyone to laugh, and him turning purple, much like an aubergine.

Though she was very pretty, it wasn't why she was incredibly popular. Her unusual kindness and cheerful demeanor won through everyone. It was impossible not to like her—even Professor Merrythought had warmed up to her eventually after she apologised for her impertinence.

When the dinner bell sounded signalling the start of supper, she walked towards the Great Hall and searched for her friends. She had separated from them in the train to meet with the head boy, Liam Aiken. Spotting them in the far end, she approached them, smiling as she did so.

"Lily! We've been looking everywhere for you," said Holly Watson, a tall brunette with tan skin and dark eyes.

"Sorry, I had to meet up with the head boy," said Lily.

"Oh great…dating another Ravenclaw?" said Charlotte, a blonde-haired girl currently putting on make-up. "What is it with you and Ravenclaws, anyway?"

"I've only dated two Ravenclaws," said Lily, sitting down, "That's nothing compared to your dating history, which, by the way, includes a lot more than Ravenclaws."

Charlotte ignored the insinuation, "So, what were you doing with the head boy then?"

Lily smiled, "I'd tell you, but you wouldn't believe it, so I'll just wait until Dumbledore announces it."

The girls looked at Lily curiously, not quite sure what she was on about. Seconds later, it finally dawned on Holly.

"It's not possible…"

"Not possible?" asked Lily, slightly insulted.

"What's not possible?" asked Charlotte, still busy with her face.

Holly smiled and kept quiet.

"What are you two on about?" asked Charlotte, looking at Holly.

"Seriously?!" said Charlotte, annoyed, "You're not going to tell me? What? Did you shag him on the train or something?"

"NO!" said Lily, appalled, "You'll find out soon enough." She nodded at the great oak doors that opened to reveal a large group of first years.

Dumbledore stood up and gave his usual welcome speech. He concluded with, "Let the sorting begin!"

--

James Potter was running late. He had missed the train to Hogwarts so he had to apparate to Hogsmeade and use the secret passageway underneath Honeydukes. What a way to start the year… When he reached Hogwarts, he rushed down the halls, running as fast as his long legs could carry him. On the way over, he bumped into Filch winking as he did so; in return Filch looked at him like he'd seen a ghost. He ran past the hall lined with suits of armour and stopped behind the Great Hall's oak doors, seeing that the first-years were already entering. He waited patiently for the last of the first years to enter before he peeked in. The first years were about to be Sorted. He didn't dare interrupt the ceremony, so he stood there and waited.

It seemed forever.

He listening to the Sorting hat call the 'F' students…then the 'G'… When the final student, Matthew Wyatt, was sorted in Hufflepuff, James started to enter. He tried to make himself look inconspicuous, but when you're James Potter, famous Quidditch player extraordinaire and Hogwarts' former heartthrob, this was virtually impossible.

As if on cue, everyone gasped when he entered. James wasn't fazed; he was used to the attention. He just smirked and walked right in the middle of the hall. He had the sudden urge to look back at the students and bow, but he decided against it. He went towards the teachers' table and sat down beside Dumbledore, occupying Professor Merrythought's seat. He smiled at Dumbledore and chatted casually with him. He then reached for a plate and grabbed the dish in front of him.

Many gasped once again and whispers filled the room. James Potter, the James Potter, was right there in the front of the room piling some roast beef and peas on his plate. As James reached for the plate of mash to go with the roast, he noticed some of the girls looking at him, and he grinned.

Oh dear…

He could've sworn he saw a girl faint. James wondered if he should go down and help.

"All right everybody! Settle down! Settle down!" said Dumbledore, standing up.

When the room quieted down considerably, he continued, "I am pleased to announce the arrival of our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor James Potter."

The room became completely silent. James looked up from his supper, uncertainly. He had expected a different kind of reception—a more cheerful one. The silence unnerved him. What? Were they not Puddlemere United fans?

"Your former Professor, Professor Merrythought, has decided to take up a post in Godolphin and Latymer so Mr. Potter will be his replacement for this year."

Everyone cheered and James breathed out a sigh of relief. For a minute there…

There were loud applauses and catcalls. One blonde girl, who had been putting on make-up, was now standing up and cheering—half of her face left undone. James laughed silently.

Dumbledore continued, "This year's head boy and head girl is Liam Aiken and Lily Evans." Loud cheering erupted from the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Tonight's news doesn't end there." Dumbledore paused, waiting for complete silence. The room became silent once more and Dumbledore proceeded, "Many years ago, our school competed in a very exciting event. This event was held in Beauxbatons nearly 80 years ago, and now, I am very pleased to say that, we have the great honour of hosting it this year."

Everyone looked puzzled.

Dumbledore smiled. "Ah yes, this year, we will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament!"

Silence.

"You've got to be joking!" yelled a curly-haired Ravenclaw suddenly, "That tournament was withdrawn because of the mounting death toll! There's no way the Ministry would've allowed it to be reinstated."

"On the contrary, Mr. Andrews, the Minister of Magic, himself will be one of the judges," chuckled Dumbledore, "We have taken every safety precaution to ensure that no school champion is endangered."

Dumbledore then talked in length of the standard procedures of the tournament. "The tournament will take place on the first week of October. School champions will be announced a week before that."

"I want to be the champion!" yelled a skinny boy in Hufflepuff, causing everyone to laugh. At every house table, people were whispering fervently about the tournament. Everyone seemed to forget about the arrival of James Potter. Dumbledore spoke again, and the Hall was hushed.

"The heads of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will arrive in two weeks, along with their potential champions. The Hogwarts champion will be selected in three weeks. Only students of age are qualified to compete in this tournament ("Aw," moaned many)."

No bleeding way… James slapped himself mentally. Nothing this exciting had happened while he was at Hogwarts.

--

Half an hour had passed and everyone was still talking about the tournament. It really irked James because he was tired and wanted to go to bed. It would've been rude if he didn't wait for everyone to finish.

He sat there, staring off into space and decided, five minutes later, to have a piece of pie. As he chewed on the pie, he scanned the Great Hall, looking for what he thought would be potential champions. His eye landed on a burly boy and he cringed when he realised the boy was from Slytherin. He quickly averted his gaze to the Gryffindor table. He saw two boys he thought would do well as champions. He looked further and noticed that blonde girl he saw earlier. She never did get round to finishing her make-up.

He sighed.

The blonde girl hadn't even touched her dinner yet. It was going to be a long night. He looked around and scanned everyone's plates. No one seemed to be hungry as they were all discussing the tournament avidly. His gaze landed back on the blonde girl and he looked at the redhead and brunette seated near her and then, he choked.

Everyone turned to look at him. He reached for his goblet and gulped down his pumpkin juice, coughing roughly. He smiled apologetically afterwards.

"Are you alright there, James?" asked Dumbledore, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Fine," said James, grinning. He looked back at the blonde girl. He silently gasped as he looked on at the redhead near her. He had never seen anything quite like her. She was gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous, and he couldn't help, but stare. The gorgeous girl was now eating a treacle tart as the blonde friend chatted to her animatedly. She laughed and, like him, had to down her goblet of pumpkin juice. She didn't look familiar, but he was rather sure he had met her before.

The brunette noticed him staring and looked up to look at him, her dark eyes piercing through his hazel ones. He raised an eyebrow and she looked away. Seconds later, she looked back at him to find him still looking at her. She looked behind her, then, realising that he was looking at her, she smiled up at him and waved, causing James to laugh. She whispered something to the gorgeous green-eyed redhead and she too looked up.

She smiled.

It was a friendly smile—a friendly, welcoming smile. She then continued eating. He noticed the head girl badge on her bag, and slapped himself mentally for not listening to Dumbledore's announcement about the heads.

Her name…

"So," said James, trying to sound nonchalant, "who are this year's head boy and girl?"

Dumbledore pointed at the Ravenclaw table, "Liam Aitken of Ravenclaw and Lily Evans of Gryffindor."

Lily Evans…

If James had any regrets about taking the sabbatical, it all disappeared at that very moment.