"Therefore, a person should first be changed by a teacher's instructions, and guided by principles of ritual. Only then can he observe the rules of courtesy and humility, obey the conventions and rules of society, and achieve order."
~Xun Zi

Shrugging on his black cloak, Harry looked in the mirror. His chest was bare, almost glowing in the half light that was being emitted from the lamp on the bedside table. Apart from the cloak the only other clothing he wore were black cotton trousers, they were loose and allowed optimum movement from the wearer. Due to the blood he had drank earlier with Tom his eyes glowed, the unearthly green combined with his black hair and pale skin made him really see that he was no longer human, he looked almost dangerous and smirking he saw his pair of fangs poke out from underneath his lips. It was strange seeing them there, they were the last thing to change and he still wasn't quite used to them. Lysander had explain a little of the ritual to him so he had some idea of what to expect. Apparently they still believed in the ancient Greek deities, Apollo was the most prominent as being the God of Prophecy he could help them in battle and it was thanks to him that they had noticed Harry in the first place, he shuddered to think what would have happened if they hadn't. In fact the Castle of the Night was the idea of the Grecian vampyres, their ideals were weaved through the walls and tapestries. However the first stronghold had been destroyed and they had to relocate to the castle that Harry was now inhabiting but still the culture had lived on. It was apparently during the ancient times that the battle between Light and Dark had been more ferocious and many lives had been lost. It saddened Harry to think of this but it was one consolation that there wasn't as much blood spilt in the conflicts of modern day making him a little more hopeful that he would survive this. Hearing a sharp knock on the door Harry turned his attention away from such morbid thinking. Walking over he opened it to reveal Tom looking as impassive as ever.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his eyes not giving any indication to the emotions the man was feeling.

"Yes, why exactly are we doing this?" asked Harry, shutting the door behind him with a soft thud.

"For years Alderan has put faith in the prophecies of Apollo. Back when they had to move to our current dwelling he wanted to keep as much of the Grecian traditions alive and preserve the old ways but the times had changed, the Grecian gods had fallen and the world entered a new age. Our realm may be separate from the mortal one but it doesn't mean that we aren't affected by it. New recruits bring new ideas and so the only Grecian god that remains is Apollo. At the middle of each month he holds a ritual to thank Apollo for his work and whether or not the god exists I wouldn't want to challenge it. I have seen some of the prophecies his oracles have said and they have been accurate, your living proof of that," they had reached a pair of double doors that held the temple of Apollo, "Now just follow me and don't speak unless spoken to," with that Tom opened the doors and ushered Harry inside.

Looking around Harry was awestruck by the temple. The walls were coated in giant mosaics, depicting scenes from his legends: Leto carrying the baby twins Apollo and Artemis, Apollo slaying Python in Delphi and his metamorphosis into a dolphin to escape from the island of Delos (his birthplace) to name a few. Columns held up the ceiling and Harry felt that he had stepped back in time, he could almost smell the offerings that the ancients had made to the god, burning it so that the god could enjoy the smell of the sacrifice. Interspaced between the columns were people dressed in garb similar to what Harry wore, however where his cloak was black the others varied with only a few wearing the same as himself. The floor, as well as the ceiling and columns were made of white marble and at the far end steps formed leading them up to a platform where Alderan was standing. He wore a black cloak but it was also lined with red, no shirt and the same black cotton trousers as Harry. An altar stood behind him and upon it was a goblet, its golden rim glinting in the light of the candles that hung in brackets.

Tom walked onwards up the centre and motioned for Harry to follow. Hurrying forward Harry felt eyes on him as he ascended the platform. Without warning Tom grabbed Harry's arm before offering it to Alderan. Taking the offered limb, Alderan produced an ornate dagger and sliced Harry's wrist. Blood pooled in the wound and Harry hissed as the tangy smell reached his senses. Resisting he watched as Alderan turned his wrist downwards so that the cut was over the goblet and Harry heard the small trickle as his blood poured into it. Tom too offered his wrist and copied Harry before pulling his wand out of a pocket on the inside of his robe and healing their wounds. Stepping back, Tom led Harry off the dais and stood at the foot of it with some of the others. A hush fell over the crowd and craning his head up at the platform he saw Alderan step forward, his eyes were lit up and he seemed to take on an unearthly glow.

"My brothers and sisters, we are here today to pay tribute to Apollo. He guides us through the winding path that Fate has thrust on us, strengthening us when we are weary, giving hope when we feel it is lost, helping us when we need aid. He is always with us in someway and it is only right that we give thanks as without him not all of us would be here today," Harry swore Alderan glanced at him, "He has never failed us, never in his long service to us and in return we offer blood. Blood is sacred, it keeps us strong and without it none of us would be here" Alderan's voice was strong, filled with passion and he turned towards the altar, his palms outstretched. Nearing the goblet flame sprung from the ancient's hands and ignited the blood inside the goblet. Motioning with his left hand Bellatrix hurried out of the crowd and ascended the platform. Holding her face over the smoke she inhaled slowly and Harry saw her change, her posture straightened and she writhed around madly, shrieking and clutching her heaving bosom. Turning towards the crowd he saw that her face was pale and her hair dishevelled but above all she radiated power.

"Sons and daughters, a dark time approaches, the next Achilles has bestowed his presence on you…be… wary… matched they shall be powerful… separate they carve a path of destruction…" her speech was fragmented as she struggled under the weight of the god, her limbs were flailing as if she were in a nightmare and fighting off imaginary fiends. Shuddering Harry looked up at Tom but his face was unreadable and his eyes trained on Alderan. Following his line of sight Harry saw that Alderan seemed pleased but something was burning beneath his silver eyes that unnerved Harry. Thoughts of this were soon abandoned when Bellatrix fell to the floor, panting heavily. Seeing it was time to leave the crowd slowly dispersed but Harry and Tom stayed where they were. Once the temple was cleared of the spectators they climbed up to the platform where Alderan held Bellatrix's trembling form.

"Bella are you alright?" asked Tom gently.

"Yes Tom, I should probably be used to it by now" she smiled weakly.

"Nonsense, I suppose you'll want a dreamless sleep potion from Miranda?" guessed Tom.

"I already have it, Nairne informed me of your episode" came a voice from the far end of the temple.

"Ah Miranda, excellent timing as always" said Tom, moving away from Bellatrix to allow the woman access. Miranda was a tall, slender and her platinum blond hair fell in waves to the small of her back. Her grey eyes were viewing the scene as a fundamentalist atheist might view a church gathering. Suppressing a chuckle at the sceptical woman, Harry stepped back and watched her work. Apparently the creature blood that she possessed was from a unicorn and gave her healing powers but was forbidden from the Light realm as her father had been a demon. Seeing her help Bellatrix however Harry was once again shown how the prejudices of Dark creatures prevented some from reaching their potential. Miranda was renowned for her healing abilities and yet she was shunned because she was part demon, the good she could do diminished because of twisted perspectives. When she was done Harry ran forward to help her pick the oracle up, and take her to her bedchambers. As it was in the ancient time the oracle never lived far from the temple and so it was only a short journey. Closing the door softly behind them Harry left Tom with Alderan and Miranda, he hadn't had a chance to eat before the ritual and he was famished.

Rounding a corner he stopped when he heard gasping coming from behind a statue of a sphinx. Approaching it he raised an eyebrow, amusement coursing through his system. Lysander had Blaise pinned to the wall, his leg was in between Blaise's thighs, kneading the erection that Harry could see bulging in the boy's trousers. Lysander had latched himself onto his neck eliciting a gasp from Blaise. It appeared that Lysander had done this a few times and knew exactly where his sensitive spots were as soon Blaise's back was arching and his face was flushed. Coughing Harry watched as they sprung apart, guilty looks flitting across their faces as they tried to gain composure. Upon seeing it was Harry however the guilty look was wiped off as quickly as it came.

"I'm just heading to the dining hall, would you like to join me? Once your finished here of course" Harry couldn't resist adding and relishing it when the two boys blushed slightly.

Walking on Harry smirked as he heard them resume their 'activities'. He felt rather bad for them actually. Since Lysander went to Beauxbatton's and Blaise to Hogwarts there was very little time to see each other. He knew that Lysander had asked his parents to let him go to Hogwarts but they refused saying that Beauxbatton's offered a better range of subjects. Hmm, maybe he could ask Tom about it, if he was meant to be some sort of weapon for the Dark then surely he would need some protection when entering the Fortress of the Light, it was worth considering at least. Walking into the lunch hall Harry grabbed a tray and approached the buffet. Only younglings ate here, the older ones preferring to eat in their chambers since they mainly lived in the Castle and the younglings were only their on their holidays. Sitting down at one of the many tables he picked at his salad. Even with the potion he found meat unbearable, it tasted bland and made his stomach feel queasy, although thankfully he hadn't thrown up since his last day at the Dursley's. Popping a tomato in his mouth he bit into it, savouring the flavours that ran over his tongue, it was tangy and made his mouth water. Hearing the sound of chairs scraping against the floor his eyes snapped open and he saw Lysander and Blaise sitting opposite him. Both were grinning and Harry rolled his eyes, just because they never had a lot of time with each other never meant they could go at it like rabbits anywhere in the castle.

"So how was the ritual?" asked Lysander, propping his elbows on the table and leaning his head on his hands.

"Wait you weren't there?" asked Harry, he had assumed all of Tom's pupils would be there and it had been too dark to see well in the temple.

"No we were… occupied" said Blaise, sharing a glance with Lysander.

"He'll kill you for not being there" said Harry, biting into a piece of cucumber.

"Nah we weren't important enough to be there" said Lysander nonchalantly.

"But then why did I have to go?" asked Harry.

"They seem to have taken a special interest in you, haven't you noticed?" said Blaise incredulously.

"Wha?" blurted out Harry, all eloquence abandoned.

"I told you he was obtuse!" yelled Blaise triumphantly.

"Hey! I am not!" exclaimed Harry.

"I believe this is evidence to the contrary" sighed Lysander.

"Okay so since I am so blind, why don't you tell me what I've missed" said Harry, pressing his palms flat on the table.

"Well Tom spends way more time training you than he ever did us, we never got any one to one meetings with him either, we were trained together-" started Blaise.

"Which we are by no means complaining about" interjected Lysander smiling.

"You have to be invited to the rituals so the fact that you were is a little suspicious. Also Tom never guided us anywhere, do you know how many times I've gotten lost in this place!" said Blaise.

"Yes but that helped us discover a few places" said Lysander, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Urgh guys I don't need to know anymore" groaned Harry.

"Ah Harry there you are" came a sharp voice, floating into their conversation. Looking up Harry saw Tom walking towards them. At this Lysander and Blaise tried not to laugh. Tom raised his eyebrows as he watched the two lovers and Harry could swear that amusement flickered in his eyes for a moment before dissipating as quickly as it came.

"I was just wondering what you thought of the ritual" said Tom, sitting next to Lysander. Spearing another tomato Harry chewed it thoughtfully before answering.

"I thought it was interesting. Alderan really believes in that stuff doesn't he?"

"Yes, I think his mentor was one of the Priests of Apollo and that had a profound affect on him."

"You can see it in his eyes when he was talking, I've never seen someone talk about something with such conviction in it before."

"Alderan felt that you should hear the prophecies that Bella gives first hand, I do not know his reasoning behind this but if he says so then it must be important."

"Oh, I thought that all new recruits were meant to attend" said Harry, he guessed that if Tom hadn't said anything he should probably feign ignorance.

"No, only ones whom are invited to attend may go" said Tom.

"Why did he invite me?" asked Harry.

"That I do not know, anyway I shall intrude no longer, have a pleasant evening" said Tom, standing up.

Seeing him walk away Harry wondered what Alderan was up to, it appeared all was not as it seemed in the Castle of the Night.

A/N: Thanks for the feedback. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter and I know that the sacrifices never happened like that in ancient Greece but I wanted to tweak it slightly and get the prophecy in there. If I have gotten anything wrong however about my Greek myths and practises I apologise as I am studying both the Romans and the Greeks so I get mixed up sometimes. I wanted to add a scene with Harry, Blaise and Lysander now remember he has been at the castle for over two weeks so he has gotten to know them in that time therefore them being friendly isn't really out of the blue :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes that were present in this chapter.

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