Scott claps quite a bit at that!

"Students," the headmistress says, as things finally calm down after the last student is sorted.

"I'm sure many of you are wondering how Hogwarts will go on, after last year. Understand that our school has always been a bastion of learning, a place where students are protected from the forces that might seek to stop them. First years will find in their coming years that the one thing Hogwarts has always been is a place of peace. Within these walls, questions will never be punished, and your curiosity will be rewarded.  Remain steadfast, and shore yourself against criticism, but never believe that you cannot improve. Most of all, enjoy."

A brief smile, and the tables fill with food. 

She sits down as the excited chatter begins anew.

Sadde sits between Scott and a sixth-year student, who claps him on the back.

"I was sure you'd be a Hufflepuff!" he tells Scott.

"The hat wasn't sure, it was this or Hufflepuff." 

"Why'd you pick this?"

"The hat said I could have a lot of friends who would push me to act, or a few friends who would push me to succeed. I know what I want, and I don't need anyone else's help to work hard." 

"Cool!" He throws his arms around Scott's shoulder. "It'll be fun! But now we need a Hufflepuff for our conspiracy!"

"I can make friends with the Hufflepuffs, I think I'll be better at that."

He examines the spread, trying to identify his options.

And Sadde starts eating.

"So, I'm familiar with MacDougall," he says, indicating Scott with his head, "but Woods escapes me. Are you by any chance related to the Blacks...?"

He looks up. "Hmm? Oh, no, I'm muggleborn."

Nomm.

...he doesn't seem to know what to say to this.

"Sadde is nice and smart! We met at Diagonal Alley. Have you talked to any paintings?" 

"M—" He looks at Scott. "Yes? Several, they're all over the castle, you can't really learn how to get around without asking them."

...and oh, look, ghosts!

Is there a ghost that's hanging near the Slytherin table or does he have to get up?

There in fact is! It is the Bloody Baron, dripping ectoplasmic blood here and there.

"Excuse me," he says, to the bloody ghost. 

"Hello, young man," says the Baron in his hollow ghost voice.

"How are you? Did you have a good summer?"

"Why, yes, thanks for asking, how about yourself?"

"It was nice," he lies.

"I'm Scott. I'm a first year, this is my friend Sadde." 

"My pleasure to meet you both, and be welcome to the great Slytherin House!"

"Hi! So are you really really dead?"

"Well, yes, that would be the thing that happens after you stop being alive."

"Do you ever get lonely?"