The tiny Professor Flitwick clapped as enthusiastically as Aedan Selwyn joined Slytherin House.  
"That," he announced in a squeak, "Concludes the sorting!  Before we eat, we shall all hear a word from our Headmistress," he gestured toward the staff table, at the center of which an older witch stood from her seat.  

"Welcome all, and congratulations," Professor McGonagall started, "Gryffindor or no, it took no small amount of courage to attend school this year, after the turmoil that we are even now still recovering from.  I will be the third Head of this school that some of you older students have known, and I want to be perfectly clear that I fully intend to follow in the footsteps of Albus Dumbledore.  
"Though your houses are meant to be a sort of new family to all of you, I want to encourage all students as we move forward from the horrors of the war, to seek friendships outside of these families.  Today, as we feast, I would very much like to see students crossing between tables.  I know rivalries have been strong in the past," she eyed down first Gryffindor then Slytherin, but continued without mentioning either House, "But I am hoping we can move these rivalries into a more friendly light.  I want to be very clear that from this year onward we will absolutely not tolerate House prejudice.  If you find you cannot be friends, put on your best show of civility."  She looked out at them for a time, her face quite unreadable, though somewhat stern still. 
"In more normal announcements, I feel that after a year's break, and with the addition of many new students, I should review those rules most often broken.  There should be [i]no[/i] spellcasting in the hallways between classes.  The Forbidden Forest is, and I should really never have to say this, [i]forbidden[/i].  And," her eyes rolled almost imperceptibly, and she made the last announcement with a much less stern demeanor, "Mr. Filch has asked me to reiterate as always that items from the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes joke shop are all expressly forbidden."  

The crowd of students were in a very sudden uproar.  Most of Gryffindor table was standing up, and a few jumped on top of the table in their protest.  There were shouts of "Unfair" and insults thrown at Filch, and even a few chants for Fred Weasley.  Filch, visible at the staff table, stood up in response and started shouting back before Professor McGonagall raised her wand, causing absolute silence in the Great Hall.  

"I am well aware," she proceeded levelly, "Of the immense popularity of these products, and of their creators," her voice choked for a moment, but she continued in her previous even tone.  "But Mr. Filch is the caretaker, and he is the one who has to clean up the messes, and therefore it is he who makes these rules.  The full list of banned items, which contains six hundred and forty two, can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anyone is ever interested for any reason.

"The very last thing I feel I must announce before allowing you all to eat is the appointment of three new staff members.  Professor John Clowers, who has graciously traveled from America to join us, has taken the post for Defense Against the Dark Arts.  Professor Barnabas Riktor replaces me as both Transfiguration teacher, and Head of Gryffindor.  Lastly, Professor Theodore Bell is taking the post for Muggle Studies.  I hope and expect that you shall all afford them the utmost respect.  

"Those," she said at long last, "Are the announcements.  Now please, 'tuck in.'"  

A great quantity of food suddenly appeared on the empty platters before the students.  Many immediately started filling their dishes, but some jumped up to join friends elsewhere.  

On such student, Dana Allbright, rose from his place at the Hufflepuff table and went to his older brother's side at Gryffindor.  

"Mmm," Jackson mused, looking at him unsmiling.  "Don't you have your own house now, Huffy?" 

"Oh... I just," he muttered, nervously, but Jax interrupted him by pulling him in a crushing embrace.

"The look on yer face," he laughed, "Like I'd ever treat you like that, bruhv.  I'm glad you're here, it was no fun without you last time.  Also no fun with the torturin' death eaters and all, but forget them."