"I have told you all this now so that there isn't an uproar in the great hall. The first years have already been sorted into their houses so they will be watching and looking towards you to set an example of good behaviour. Most of you may stay the same, maybe not, the reasons why the hat has asked for such a request are unclear, but it would not make a request like this lightly. Now we will go in order of years and then alphabetically. So can I have second years at the front please’.