"I gather you're locked in here until this application process is completed. That means we students have to vote on which House you should be assigned, based on these interviews, and...ahh...a final decision will be made." No need to get into the Hat business at this point. Claire couldn't even begin to explain the Hat, and frankly preferred not to think about It if she could help it.

"Once that's done, it seems you're free to stay or go as you wish. The Houses are associated with character traits: bravery, intellect, usefulness, loyalty...I'm not sure what Slytherin is exactly; bartending in the dark isn't much of a clue. Do any of those seem more or less apt for you, in your opinion?"