In the Common Room (open)
Layla sat, nose in a book and hand furiously taking notes on seemingly endless miles of parchment. She was surrounded on all sides by books. Some might find this incredibly stressful, but she was used to it and she was comfortable with it.

The castle was getting rather lonely, Layla thought as she mentally divided the average number of students staying by the four houses and realized just how small a number she would run into here. Of course, the new students made things more interesting. She had seen them around but not had a chance to talk to any of them extensively.

She was surprised to hear someone walk into the common room. Her head jolted up, but she caught herself in time to say a competent, "Hello!"