Chapter 2

Edmund looked around the great hall, frowning when he looked at the night sky that was the ceiling - the sky was clear, and free of any fog or pollution. It reminded him of the Narnian sky's, and Edmund had to stop himself from tearing, remembering the times he and Lucy used to lay on the beach and star-gaze, or he and Peter sit on the balcony of his older brothers study, talking under the stars, or the times that he and Susan used to go out for an after-dark archery competition.

He could hear the bossy voice of that Hermione girl in the background, and tuned her out professionally, used to having to tune out visiting dignitaries and then watching, amused as Peter had to answer all the questions.

Stopping with the others, he watched as the old woman who had introduced herself as Professor McGonagall put an old-looking hat down on a three-legged stool. He frowned, wondering why a hat was there, but his eyebrows rose in surprise when the brim split in half and the hat began to sing.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

Emdund's eyebrows furrowed as he thought about what the hat had said, not really understanding what it had sung. He sighed, missing Lucy the more he thought about it, as she was the one who knew the most about magic - and was also rather good at annoying riddles.

He tuned out the sorting until they got to the name he had slightly gotten used to in the past few weeks.

"Potter, Harry!"

Edmund sighed as every person in the hall suddenly scanned the dwindling group of first years he was amongst. Deciding to be a little vindictive, Edmund waited a few more moments before slowly making his way to the stall, gently pushing people out of his way. As he passes him, a redhead stared at him with more admiration then he'd been given in a long time - and that was saying a lot, considering he was a very famous king back in Narnia.

Settling down on the stool as dignified as he could manage, he scrunched his nose when he felt the old hat being placed on his head.

"Why, Hello there."

Edmund blinked, more than a bit confused at the voice suddenly in his head (He was also freaked out that it sounded like it was flirting with him.)

"I am the sorting hat."

If he could, Edmund would have jumped off the stool, tore the hat off and slash it in half with his non-existent sword. Instead, all he could do was imagine that happening and wince.

"Um, hello. Are you like this with all the students?"

"No, no, of course not. Only the special ones. And aren't you special, Harry Potter? Or should I say, King Edmund the Just of Narnia?"

Edmund froze, panic welling up in his mind.

"Don't worry, My King, you're secret is safe with me. I am duty bound to not reveal anything that I see in the student's head, no matter what it may be."

Edmmund relaxed a little, but kept his guard up as the hat went silent, and he felt something moving around in his mind, as though he was imagining something in his head.

"Oh my, you are a tricky one. You, My King, belong in all four of the school houses. You hold the values of Hufflepuff - teamwork, loyalty and hardworking. But you would also do well in Ravenclaw - you love reading, and you naturally gain knowledge from your surroundings. You'd also fit into Slytherin. You're cunning, you're not afraid to do something you shouldn't to get what you want (Unless its against your siblings) and you're good at negotiations to get what you want. Gryffindor would also fit you. You're brave, and are not afraid to go head-first into a fight if the need arises. You also have a Hero-complex of some sort.

Where do you want to go?"

"Where does everyone expect me to go?"

"From what I've heard? Gryffindor."

"Hmm. . . I suppose if I want to fit in I should stick to public expectations. Gryffindor please."

"Alright them. Good luck, King Edmund.

"Gryffindor!"