Silvia and the Rising Moon [EDITING]

Guests from the Soviet Union

"We are officially third years," Blaire declared as the Hogwarts Express began its route to school.
"This is a big year for us girls," Sienna added as she placed her owl's cage on the floor at her feet. "We're teenagers. Thirteen, some of us going on fourteen."
"We can go to Hogsmeade now," Lydia added excitedly. "Maybe boys will ask us to the Three Broomsticks."
"We can have a..." Blaire counted everyone in the cabin, "six couple date. Like a double date with six couples. What do you call that?"
"A sextuple date," Calypso explained.
Blaire frowned disgustedly. "Sex? No way." The girls laughed. "Maybe just a kiss," she giggled.
Calypso laughed. "First kiss? Has anyone had that yet?"
"Not me," said Dixie. "I never will." She laughed, but there was disappointment in her tone.
"We all will this year." Sienna reassured Dixie. "We're cute girls. We can only snog the cutest boys."
"Oh, you mean Sirius Black?" Calypso nervously laughed. The others laughed along. Silvia sat uncomfortably.
"Gross," she said, crossing her arms.
"What?" asked Blaire, suddenly confused.
"Sirius, James, all of them. You'll never catch me snogging any of them."
Blaire raised her eyebrows. "You better not be snogging Remus, he's your brother!"
The girls laughed. "None of us want to snog Remus," Calypso said. The cabin became silent.
Silvia looked at Calypso. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"We're sorry, Silvia," Dixie quickly explained. "Remus kind of freaks us out. He seems very nice, but there's something about him that's just... off."
Sienna nodded. "He's my friend, Silvia, but even I see it. He likes to be on his own sometimes and... it kind of scares me."
Silvia was at the verge of tears. "B-but, you don't understand, he would never hurt anyone. He's no creep. He's just..."

The subject was quickly changed and the ride went on. They entered the Great Hall together, laughing. Silvia trailed off and found conversation with Pandora Bombardier, who was talking to two first year boys.
"Oh, hello," said Pandora softly as Silvia approached. She turned to the boys. "This is Silvia Lupin, she's very nice, she's a third year. Silvia, this is Mason O'Hara," she motioned to the red-headed boy. "This is Flaithri Erkens. His father is the new DADA teacher."
"Wow, hello. It's very nice to meet you both." Silvia smiled. She and Pandora proceeded to explain to the first years what Hogwarts was like. They each listened carefully in awe.
"Silvia!" a voice called. She turned around quickly to be greeted by Selene Coldwater and Regulus Black. They sat down next to her. "Any idea who those kids are?" Regulus asked, glaring at a group of students dressed in red, wearing a gold hammer and sickle on their chests.
"They're sure not first years," Silvia commented.
"They look odd," Selene added. "They're definitely not Hogwarts students. It looks like they have the symbol for the Soviet Union on their chests."
"Yes, but why would Dumbledore allow Soviets into the school?" Regulus asked. "I heard that they support Death Eaters."
"Maybe they're nice," said Silvia, shrugging her shoulders.
"Maybe," Selene agreed. "I think Dumbledore's about to start the sorting. Everyone get to their tables." She and Regulus scrambled to the Slytherin table. Silvia hopped to her own table and sat next to Remus.
The sorting began just as it always had. The Sorting Hat sang his heart out. Mason was sorted into Ravenclaw and Flaithri into Slytherin.
"So many students," James groaned as another first year's name was called. "I'm exhausted."
"So many students that you hexed on the train," Remus reminded him.
"Oi, I'm just trying to have some fun. Plus, Snivellus was hiding with Lily and Sirius's brother. I couldn't mess with him like I usually do."
Remus smiled. "We better cleanup our act this year. We can't make it as prefects if we keep tormenting students."
"Torment?" James scoffed, obviously baffled. "I do not torment students. I will become a prefect based purely off of my charm."
"What charm?" Silvia asked.
James glared at her as Dumbledore called for attention.
"Hello, hello, and welcome to another year at Hogwarts. What an excellent sorting that was!" He ran a hand down the length of his beard before speaking once more. "I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Professor Conri Erkens as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher." He waited for the applause to die down before speaking once more. "Now, it has come to my attention that many of you have taken notice of the, let's say, 'foreign' students who have joined us tonight. Students, please welcome our guests from Bearstrength Accademy, a school for magic named in honor of Peter the Great of Russia, located on the eastern border of Belarus. Now, the Soviet Union has a different standard for magical persons. Only wizards born of the purest blood are permitted to attend Bearstrength. Any person born through deviation against magic is said to be a criminal against the privileges granted by a communist government. These students are very proud of their blood status, however, they have been prompted to treat each and every one of you as their equal, as I urge you to do to them. Students of Hogwarts and Bearstrength, we seek peace between each other, and we urge the students of Ilvermorny to join us once relations between your countries have slowed down. For now, you are all young. Enjoy yourselves, see the good in each other, and have a wonderful year at Hogwarts."
Everyone clapped, nervously glances were passed between students as the small group of Soviets brooded over them.
"One last thing," Dumbledore called over the anxious noise. "There will be a ball held before Holiday break this year. All students are invited, however, first and second years are not permitted to attend the ball with any students older than a third year." He smiled and a couple younger students groaned.
James jumped for the opportunity. He turned quickly, to find Lily, who was hiding behind Marlene, vigorously shaking her head. "James Potter, if you make one step toward me, I swear I-"
He fell on one knee on the floor, pushed Marlene out of the way. "Lily Evans, please, please, oh Lord, please, do me the honor of being my date for the ball. I've been waiting for this moment for all my life and it has finally come. I can finally take you in my arms and dance with-"
"NO!"

James looked flustered and offended. "B-but, are you sure, I mean... who else is going to ask you?"
"No, Potter. N. O."
"Please?"
"Get lost."
"Please?"
"You know, if you weren't a fourth year, I'd say you should go with one of those first years that you hexed on the train." Lily got up, followed by Marlene, Alice, and Dorcas, and strutted out of the room.
James stood and turned to his friends. "She said she'd think about it."
"She said no," Remus said.
He bounced angrily on his feet. "Wow, yeah, thanks, Remus. Thanks a lot! I appreciate it, man."
"Just pointing out the obvious," Remus commented.
"You know what, Remus. I bet you I'll get her to go to the ball with me sooner than you can get a date with anyone."
"Okay, James. The bet is on. You give me whatever I ask for at Hogsmeade if I win and I'll let you hex whoever you want for the rest of the year if you win."
"Deal."
Remus turned to the closest girl at the table. "Hey, Lydia, would you like to go to the ball with me?"
"Of course I would," Lydia responded.
Remus beamed and turned back to James. "Well, it looks like I won. Butterbeers are on you."
James fumed. Suddenly, a voice called for him. He spun around. "So, Evans, changed your mind already I see?" He looked down with disappointment to see Blaire standing in front of him.
"Hey James," she squeaked happily.
"What do you want, um..."
"Blaire," she said quickly. "It's Blaire, Blaire Einrich. I'm sure Silvia and Remus have told you a lot about me."
"Oh... yeah..." James tried to slip away.
"W-wait," Blaire stuttered, quickly grabbing for his hand. She blushed. "I'm trying out for Ravenclaw quidditch team. I'm going to be a seeker."
He looked at her. "That's wonderful," he said sarcastically before turning away again.
She looked down, grasp tightening on his hand. "We have a lot in common."
He rolled his eyes. "Like what?"
"Well," she began excitedly. "We both like quidditch, and we both know Remus and Silvia."
"What's your point?" He sighed and massaged his forehead.
"Let's go to the ball together!" Blaire screeched.
James yanked his hand free from hers. "Let me think... no."
"W-what? Why not?" she blubbered as he moved away.
"You're a bit too... what's the word... husky."
"Are you calling me fat?" she stammered.
He smiled. "Yeah, that's it."
Blaire hurried away, stunned. Sirius patted James on the back in support. Silvia stared at him in utter disgust as the boys laughed.
"Are you bloody kidding me?" she yelled at them. "James, that was horribly rude! She's my cousin. No wonder Lily refuses to be your girlfriend. Have some respect, James, some consideration. Learn how to act around girls." She turned to Sienna and Lydia and waved them on to follow her out of the Great Hall.

In the corridors, Silvia turned to Lydia. "Why did you agree to go to the ball with Remus? I thought he freaked you out."
Lydia smiled. "He doesn't freak me out. He's different, but so am I. I think he's more like me than any of those other boys. He's kind of cute too, I suppose."
Silvia laughed. "Prepare for all the free butterbeers you'll get when you're with him, all on James!"