Chapter Text
An Existing Loophole – Chapter 13 (Day Isn’t Over Yet)
Harry sighed softly as he slowly woke up, rolling from his side to his back, stretching his arms across the bed. The bed was the perfect combo of soft and supportive, the emerald, green and silver blankets were plush, the sheets warm and pillow smelled like vanilla. For a moment, in the haze of his dream and deep sleep he had forgotten everything that had happened the last few weeks, but as he opened his eyes and was bombarded with the Slytherin dorm he was sleeping in, it all rushed back. He groaned and closed his eyes again; Theo and Blaise had managed to hold off most of the Slytherins last night after dinner. They had seemed to accept the answers of not right now, his house change was official, but they didn't need or deserve to know the dirty details. Apparently Slytherin's actually knew how to mind their own business. Except Malfoy who got hexed by Warrington with a stinging hex when he kept bugging them. But apparently, he didn't actually mean to be rude or intrusive, he was just nosy and didn't realize when he made people uncomfortable.
"Sleeping beauty awakens," Harry heard Theo's teasing voice, and he reluctantly opened his eyes again, turning to look to his left where the petite brunette was packing his pack for the day.
"What time is it?" Harry asked blearily.
"Twenty to nine," Blaise chirped from Harry's right, "you weren't budging this morning, so we went to Great Hall to let you sleep, you clearly needed it. We bought you breakfast, it’s on your desk."
Harry's eyes went wide and almost fell out of the bed.
Theo and Blaise both looked amused.
"I didn't miss any classes, right?!"
"Calm down, Harry. There aren’t any early morning classes, except for the one right before lunch," Theo commented.
"Oh..." Harry blushed in embarrassment. Then he sighed in relief and relaxed back into his pillow, sitting up and reaching over to his desk to pick up the plate that smelt so amazing. Then his stomach growled at the smell of the food near him. "Bacon Toastie with banana!" He cried happily as he munched into it.
"Thanks, Blaise."
That was all that was sitting on the plate. It looked like Blaise or Theo, or even both had piled it with food. There was even sausage links, porridge, and eggs.
"No worries," Blaise shrugged it off,
"You needed the sleep in," Theo added, "What are friends for?"
Harry gave a nod since he couldn't really talk with food in his mouth. Though he wished he had some kind of sauce to go with it. But he ignored that for now. He was probably just hungry since it much later in the day.
He was a bit surprised that he slept for so long, usually he was the first one up in Gryffindor Tower. But he figured that Slytherins were probably more of early risers opposed to Gryffindors that almost missed Breakfast more often than not.
When he had a breath to talk, he asked question.
"How come there isn’t any morning classes for today? I'm used to having History of Magic early in the morning?"
"We don't have History of Magic until tomorrow. And the morning classes are for electives. I know at least if you got chosen by Madam Pomfrey to go to St. Mungos to learn Healing, that usually is first thing this morning. Plus, we get a free period since none of us take Muggle Studies or Divination," Blaise replied.
"You can study Healing under Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked eyes wide, curious and excitement bubbling slightly. That would be so much better than Divination!
Blaise nodded, "I go twice a week. It was an option last year. There isn't many fourth years though. There is like a handful of us. Probably because they don't find it useful."
There was a firm scowl on his lips to show what his internal thoughts of the matter were.
"Oh," Harry muttered, eyes downcast, "I didn't see it on my form, so I missed out then,"
Blaise shared a look with Theo, both of their suspicions were running high on why that was.
"Why on earth was it not on your form?" Theo asked frowning, "What options did you have?" He demanded.
"Umm," Harry mused, "Care of Magical Creatures. Divination. Muggle Studies. Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes. why?"
"Fuck," Theo cursed, as Blaise gaped.
"What?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.
"There is supposed to be Healing, Magical Law, Warding, and Magical Theory on the list as well." Theo frowned. "All of which can be vital for certain careers. Since they open pathways to more advance courses required for certain jobs. Like to be a Curse Breaker, you have to have Exceeds Expectations on your OWLS and NEWTS for Warding and Ancient Runes. Though they recommend Arithmancy, it’s just not required. Although I overheard my mother ranting to others about how Dumbledore wants to remove Magical Law and Theory, as well make Healing a fifth year or seventh year elective instead of third year."
"What is Magical Theory?" Harry asked, the others seemed pretty obvious by name, but he wasn't one hundred percent on Theory.
"Oh, you study magic at its core and how it came to be, stuff like that," Blaise explained, "Malfoy loves it, it's his favorite subject besides Astronomy. But N.E.W.T.’s in Magical Theory is needed to be a wand maker, spell creator, or to work in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry. They study every aspect of magic; it is dangerous and totally top secret. My Uncle Bellamy is an Unspeakable."
Harry looked slightly confused when Blaise said, Unspeakable. He wasn't sure if he had heard about them. Given what he said right before, top secret. It made him curious what kind of magics they had to learn.
"Unspeakables are the highest level of workers who work in the department of Mysteries," Theo explained. "Although their work is top secret, some things are revealed to the public when discovered. I know a few things they did, like they figured out that inbreeding is what causes squibs, as well as certain illnesses caught by pregnant mothers. They also created Time Turners and studied everything they could about magic and time bending. Although their use is extremely protected, due to the horrible things that can happen."
Harry looked intrigued by that. He knew about Time Turners, given that Hermione had let it slip that she had one. He seriously doubted that she was only student that had one. But he hadn't known that it had been the Unspeakables that created it.
Although they seemed interesting, he didn't think that was something he wanted to do. Which wasn't to say much since he didn’t even know what he wanted to do after Hogwarts.
"If you are really interested in one of the subjects you missed out on, I suggest you talk to a professor you trust and make a case," Theo added when he saw Harry looking down cast. "If we explain your form was, well, deficient, and you have someone already ready to tutor you to catch up, you may have a chance"
"I'm already over a year behind," Harry raised an eyebrow. "Not to mention we are already three months into the year. I can't see that happening and I would be shoved with third years."
"It is possible, you just have to want to do the work," Theo shrugged, "Octavius in sixth year, he missed almost the entire year last year and managed to pass his OWLS with Exceeds Expectations as his lowest score."
Blaise scowled at the mention of the older Slytherin. “Some of the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs decided it would be a good idea to curse him and it blasted him off the Grand Staircase. It almost killed him, and Dumbledore let the entire incident slide as some prank. Madam Pomfrey didn’t have the skill to help heal him, so she sent him to St. Mungos where he would have gotten better care.”
Harry still looked like he didn't quite believe the words. But that didn't stop the look of horror on his face after hearing the tale of why so much school was missed. Why hadn’t he heard about it before? Then he realized, if it was a Slytherin, Dumbledore would make it look like nothing happened. Let it go without mention.
But the idea of studying to catch up was definitely something he would look into. He wanted to catch up to where he needed to be. Maybe he could make a trip to the library later. Or get some books on the subject but that meant waiting till the next Hogsmeade trip. Which was coming up soon.
"So, what is the class before noon?" Harry asked.
"Herbology with Ravenclaw," Theo answered.
"I know Malfoy, Terence, Greg, and Daphne all take Magical Theory." Blaise mused, "Graham, Terence, and myself are taking Healing. I also take Magical Law and will be happy to tutor if you want it, as does Theo. Though I am not sure who takes Warding."
"Ugghh," Theo groaned, "Noooo!"
"What'?" Harry asked, "don't like Herbology?" He turned baffled as Blaise cackled.
"More like Ravenclaw," Blaise laughed. "Lisa Turpin likes Theo and doesn't believe he genuinely likes Lyra Flint. So, she is always flirting and trying to 'woo' him away because contracts are 'barbaric' and all that bullshit." Blaise continued.
"She is awful, she got a month's detention for hexing Lyra last year," Theo shook his head, "It's like she is obsessed. I know why either; I've barely said a word to her. Even her dormmates Sue and Padma, who are both Purebloods and contracted are constantly trying to talk to her, but she doesn't listen."
The look in Blaise's eyes grew wicked with mirth, "Lyra got her back for it though. She was furious and made sure that Turpin knew it. Unlike her, Slytherins know not to get caught. But it still doesn’t change the fact that Theo hates her guts."
Harry chuckled; he wouldn't want to be on the other end of a wand belonging to an angry Slytherin girlfriend.
"Well, maybe she will hate that you are friends with Hogwarts traitor and cheat and give up on you for being tainted," Harry joked as he climbed out of the bed and stretched, popping his back.
"Oh, haha," Theo groaned, "and don’t talk about yourself that way. They are the morons for believing you actually put your name in the Goblet. You are no traitor, and I know you don't cheat."
"Oh, now you've done it," Blaise moaned, "You've activated the mother-hen, and we are going to get the self-confidence lecture."
Harry just laughed as he wondered over to the bathroom. Now that he knew they had time, he was going to enjoy himself a long and hot soak in the amazing showers. He could hear Blaise and Theo still arguing as he turned on the shower.
"Oh Harry!" Theo shouted opening the bathroom door just as Harry was starting to take his pajama top off, thankfully he was inside the shower cubicle now and had the colored frosted door shut.
"Yeah?" He called back, taking his pants off.
“Don’t take too long in there, Herbology is in an hour!”
“Okay,” Harry shouted back. Although he was hoping maybe it was some news about Graham. He was sort of hoping to have that conversation and yet he wasn’t. It was really hard to decide which one he was leaning more towards. He still felt slightly unnerved that Graham was still able to affect him so even while he wasn’t practically happy with him. He was still a bit irked about the food thing. He knew how to eat and how much, even if he couldn’t always stomach it all.
A conversation needed to happen; he knew that. Even if it made him anxious at the thought. He could still recall Terence’s words. And he didn’t know how much truth or lies there were if he had just been a lay. That maybe the Contract and Stabilization Potion had been a hoax for something more? Harry shook his head; he was letting his mind go haywire and straying. He needed to try to forget about it for now and focus. They would eventually talk so there was no sense in worrying more about it.
"Oh my god," Harry moaned as he finally stepped under the hot water, the square waterfall had the perfect pressure as it soothed every sore muscle, every bruised bone, and washed away any trace of sweat and grime. The only thing he could hear was the water pouring down on top of him, before rushing down the drain. He let himself just relax, losing track of himself and his worries before grabbing the shampoo and rubbing it in, using his fingers to massage his scalp.
But even after Harry reluctantly left the shower, his mind was still wandering. Though it wasn’t about Graham. It had been about last night’s conversation with his Former Head of House. He had decided to sneak away from Blaise and Theo. Since he had finished eating before they did. But he had wanted to explain to Professor McGonagall about what had happened, and he was desperate for information about what was being done because of the destruction of his belongings.
She had confessed to him that she hadn't heard of such a thing happening where Hogwarts and magic would change your house. She had assumed that given everything, he had requested a resorting. And had placed the Sorting Hat on his head once more.
That made Harry snort but didn't comment that he doubted Dumbledore would allow him to do such a thing.
From there, she did say that she had the list of culprits that destroyed his stuff. But did not elaborate on who they were. Only that she was making sure they would be properly punished.
When Harry asked what their punishment was. That was when he got an answer. He doubted he would have got one if it hadn't been his belongings.
"They all have received detention for many months to come. Along with privileges revoked. Quidditch when it resumes, seeing any of the tasks for the Tournament, Hogsmeade visits. There will be more upon meeting with the Board of Governors to see if suspension to the point of expulsion will be necessary. Along with paying the fines of destroying personal and Hogwarts property."
"Thank you," Harry had been glad they were actually being punished and it wasn't just being shrugged off. Although he was surprised Dumbledore hadn't tried to force him into another meeting to convince him to drop the complaint against his old friends. Which he refused to do. They destroyed not only his belongings that they knew he had paid for himself because the Dursleys wouldn't pay for anything. But they also destroyed items that couldn't be replaced. Like his photo album of his parents.
Thank Merlin they hadn't been able to destroy his Invisibility Cloak and the Marauders Map, both of which had some powerful protection spells woven into their very materials. He didn't doubt that if he had left his wand in his dorm, they would have snapped that too. But yet all they did was preach about how Slytherins were evil and didn't have true friends. The hypocrisy made Harry want to hex them.
At least Professor McGonagall was so understanding, despite her sadness at losing him, she made sure he knew that he was still one of her cubs and could come to her with anything.
But it had made him curious about the supposedly meeting with the Board of Governors. He had heard of them, only because two years ago, Lucius Malfoy had been on the Board and temporarily sacked Dumbledore
But even Professor McGonagall wouldn't know the answer to that question until after the fact. But even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to protest it unless he wanted attention directed at him and not the good kind.
She had been able to tell him that the Board of Governors had been summoned though, and that they would convene in three days to decide what will happen. Theo seemed sure that McLaggen would at the very least have to complete his suspension and the notation of his use of the Blood Boiling Curse on a younger student, who had his back turned would be on his file forever. Blaise had had a vicious grin when he confirmed that any job or apprenticeship employer would know what he did.
Though Harry did question on why both Blaise and Theo were grinning ear to ear when he had spoken to the pair of them later.
That was when he found out that each of them had a parent that was part of the Board.
"And mother already knows, I sent her letter about it yesterday," Blaise had commented.
"Doesn't that make them biased?" Harry worried, he figured that if it was, it could be thrown out. But it wasn’t like he knew anything about the matter either.
"And?" Blaise hummed, "if you can make the situation work for you, then do it. And it’s a known fact that to be a member, you had to have a child that has gone to Hogwarts. Though they can be graduated as long as that requirement is filled but you can’t be on the board and not have a child."
The matter had dropped there since the conversation then no longer became private between them. And it wasn't a topic that Harry would talk about besides Blaise and Theo.
Which is now all he was thinking about, besides his worries about Graham. On how the meeting with the Board would go. He knew that he shouldn't be fretting about it, but he didn't know if they would throw it out. Especially given everything that had been going on this year.
But it did help to know that there were at least three people that would have his side in this. Granted, Professor McGonagall wasn't on the board, but she would be bringing the issue to light.
Harry pulled himself out of his musings of the night before as he finished drying off. Thankfully, there was some amazing heating charms on the entire bathroom, so the tiled floor was warm as was the air around him. slipping into his uniform just in time for Blaise to open the bathroom door.
"You ready Harry? Theo is starting to fret about making it to Herbology on time," Blaise rolled his eyes before pointedly shouting over his shoulder, "even though we still have fifteen minutes before class starts!"
"I fucking heard that, Blaise!" Theo's voice echoed.
Harry couldn't help the snicker that slipped out, "why do I feel that Herbology is the one class Theo wishes he could skip?"
"You were supposed to!" Blaise shouted back before turning to Harry. "Oh, he would if he could, but he cares about his grades too much to skip. And he hexed me when I offered to break his arm for him, so that he had a legit reason to skip."
"Does Theo like classes that much?" Harry asked. He knew he definitely wasn't like that, given he had skipped two of his classes yesterday. But perhaps this was his way of making up what his missed and it wasn't like he missed much in Care of Magical Creatures.
"His favorite classes yes, but I think it is more of that he loves knowledge." Blaise shrugged, "I know he also enjoys being challenged. He is really intelligent, and I know sometimes our classes are too easy so those classes he can get bored and instead does homework in those."
Harry blinked at that, he never thought of it that way. He knew there were classes he did like. And he did tend to either fall asleep in History of Magic or do homework. Hermione always complained more if he slept in a class. So, he could kind of understand where Theo was coming from. He wasn't exactly sure why Hogwarts believed he was a Slytherin if he wasn't a Gryffindor. That meant he had to have some qualities of Slytherin. The hat seemed to think so but he wondered if that was just because he had the ability to speak Parseltongue. It had been a theory of Dumbledore’s; he did say that Voldemort did give him some of his powers when he was just a babe.
Maybe he could ask Blaise and Theo for their ideas. They were smart, and as his friends they might also see what traits Hogwarts saw for Slytherin that he didn't seem to see. He debated in his head about whether to ask while they made their way to Herbology. Theo was reading the new Runes book he had gotten in from his owl order yesterday, Blaise guiding him, occasionally pulling or pushing him out of the way of other passing students. Harry felt a rush of warm affection at the two. He was so grateful for the friendship he had with them.
Though was thankful for that he still had his school bag. He didn't want to wait until the next Hogsmeade trip to buy a new one. That was where he had shoved his book and some spare parchment and quills. His ink well was still in one of the side pockets, thankfully unbroken. It had been by luck that last night in Charms had been a practical.
He wasn't overly optimistic about Herbology. It was still daunting going before the rest of the school as a new Slytherin. He was sure it had spread all over the school after Charms yesterday and he was not looking forward to seeing everyone who already thinks he is a traitor, cheater, and liar. He had some pain in his shoulders where he was tensed up.
"Hey, relax," Theo spoke up, "I can feel your tension from here. We have your back."
"It was one thing for the school to think I'm a liar and cheater to Gryffindor and it’s going to be another to confirm it," Harry pointed out.
"Oh please, you never lied, you were sorted into Gryffindor, everyone could be suited for at least two houses." Theo scoffed, "People aren't singular or fit into perfect boxes. The hat debated for two minutes over Slytherin and Ravenclaw for me," He admitted unabashedly, grinning when Harry gaped.
"Blaise could have gone into Hufflepuff or Gryffindor," Theo added with a wink, "If they are stupid enough to believe that you can only suit one house, or that you lied and cheated Gryffindor from the start. Then that is on them and their tiny brain cells."
Blaise scowled, "I am no fucking duffer! I got more braincells and ambition than the entire house!" It was like the fact of being a Hufflepuff was the greatest dishonor.
Theo snorted, "can't say I disagree there. Given that most Hufflepuffs can't even live up to their house or namesake."
Harry laughed as Blaise and Theo got a few glares from older Hufflepuffs walking past.
"Keep it down, or we will be hexed before we even make it to our first class!" Harry laughed.
"That might keep me safe from the clutches of Turpin," Theo shuddered as they finally got out of the castle and made their way down to the Greenhouses. There was a concrete and brick section in the middle of all the greenhouses, used for students to meet with Professor Sprout before she led them to the needed greenhouse for that day’s lesson.
"Oh, Merlin… there she is," Theo muttered, eyes darting up and then back down as they reached the Greenhouse. Sitting down on a small wooden bench, added for students while waiting for the Professor, was Lisa Turpin. Her eyes seemed light up at the sight of Theo, her two friends, Padma and Sue tried to stop to her, but she just brushed them off as she made her way over.
"This is an early approach even for her," Blaise muttered with a disgusted frown.
"Hey Theo!" Lisa chirped, grinning up at the tall thin Slytherin, before sending a dirty frown at Blaise and Harry. "Why don't you come join me and my friends," she offered, "it can't be much fun being stuck with Slytherin's whore and Gryffindor's traitor." she sneered. Harry felt himself gape at the audacity of the girl.
"That’s a week’s detention Miss Turpin!" Professor Sprout snapped from behind the brunette Ravenclaw, "and thirty points from Ravenclaw. Apologize this instant."
Lisa scowled as she muttered an apology before rushing back to stand with Padma and Sue, who were now standing with Terry Boot shaking their heads at her.
"And I thought Gryffindors were bad," Harry muttered, loud enough so Turpin and her group of friends could hear him. He could feel his anger building up. It was one thing to hear it from the worst of Gryffindors, but Ravenclaw?
"Shut up Potter," Turpin hissed, keeping her voice low to avoid any more point loss. She didn’t want any more ire than she was getting from her fellow classmates.
"Mr. Potter," Professor Sprout said jovially, "It is so good to see you again, my the Slytherin colors do suit you, don't they," She tittered.
"Professor McGonagall let me know everything I needed to know last night. while I am saddened by what you have been through. I am hopeful that Slytherin will be what you need," she said, her tone with a warning as she looked over the rest of the Slytherin, pointedly at Malfoy. "Your house is supposed to be a family. Just let me know if there is anything you need, my dear." She finished, patting Harry on the cheek.
"Now, we are in Greenhouse Four today!" She announced loudly, sending Slytherin in first, holding Turpin back and away from Harry, Theo, and Blaise.
"I wonder if I can ask Professor McGonagall to have her detentions with Snape?" Harry whispered to Theo and Blaise before snickering. For once, he felt in a good mood, especially since Professor Sprout seemed to welcome his new change of house.
"His detentions are the worst!" Theo groaned, "Blaise managed to get us three days of cleaning cauldrons with toothbrushes! My back and hand never recovered."
Harry laughed a bit shocked.
"Wait, so he doesn't go easy on you guys?" He asked curiously, "Malfoy bragged about how he just does his homework or lines, when I had to clean the entire potions room. I always assumed he went easy on you guys because of that, and the fact you never lose points in his class."
"Oh, well we don't get points taken from us, because other houses prefects and the Headboy and Headgirl tend to take more than they would other houses. So, he doesn't take them, to level things out a bit." Theo shook his head. "Blaise got into a fight with Zacharias Smith once, Diggory only took 5 points from Smith, but took twenty from Slytherin. When three eyewitnesses all said Smith started it."
Harry scowled. That was disgusting!
"Plus, the detention thing?" Blaise piped up. "We get the same punishments as anyone else. But Draco is his godson, so it wouldn't surprise me if he does get lines or homework instead. But that’s a family bias, not a house bias."
"Figures..." Harry muttered. "But it may help get her off your back."
The last part was aimed at Theo.
"At this point, I am not sure that anything will work," Theo groaned, shaking his head.
"Alright class!" Professor Sprout spoke up, "Split into groups of two or three," she ordered, throwing a hand out to stop Turpin from bugging Theo to join her. Turpin scowled as she turned back to her friends, but Sue and Padma had grabbed Terry, refusing to make eye contact.
Harry hadn't hesitated in joining with Theo and Blaise. Now that he was in Slytherin, he didn't have to worry about nobody wanting to partner up with him.
"Today we are working with Wormwood," Professor Sprout started after everyone was grouped up. Using her wand to roll in a large trolley filled with everything they needed. Before waving her wand again, making it all divide up into the groups. "Each group should have one large pot, one bag of seeds, and one bag of compost soil." She spoke, watching as each group confirmed her list. "We will be learning how grow our own Wormwood today, and then we will maintain the plant as it grows, taking care of it. Until it is mature enough to be used in potions. Now the Wormwood plant is quite versatile, it is necessary component in the brewing process of the Elixir to Induce Euphoria, as well as the Draught of the Living Death potions."
Theo was quickly writing down notes as Professor Sprout continued her lecture. He had the nicest handwriting, and could also write the fastest, so he usually offered to the take the notes in group projects, and then they would just use a copy charm.
"It is also used in the Shrinking Solution, and the majority of healing potions." Sprout continued.
Harry made a small humming sound, that part did sound familiar. Then he realized something.
"Should have known that Snape would have tried to test me on fourth-year material," he grumbled.
Blaise snickered, “you basically have to read all the books from year one to fifth at least. I read all the way to seventh year material since my mum had warned me on how Snape can be. Because if one of the other houses can’t answer the question, he’ll automatically ask us so that he can award Slytherin points.”
Harry groaned at the thought.
Harry found the class easier than ever, working with Theo and Blaise seamlessly. Whenever he moved back to grab something one of the other two would take his place. Talking quietly through each step. He had never had this before. Usually, it was Hermione snapping at him for doing it wrong, although it wasn't wrong, just wasn't her way. Ron would sleep or doodle on a page, complaining when he was made to take part. Every lesson would end with a headache and the two suddenly pretending nothing was wrong and they hadn't acted like Dudley in class. Only for it to happen again! Before he knew it, the class was over, and he had a happy grin as Professor Sprout congratulated them for being the furthest into the process.
He couldn't remember enjoying a class since his name had come out the Goblet of Fire. Neither did he miss the parting words from Professor Sprout.
"Mr. Potter, even though Gryffindor doesn't seem to understand what they have lost, it appears your Slytherin friends do understand what they have gained in you Mr. Potter." Sprout smiled, "It suits you well."
Harry gave her a small smile; this was a big difference compared to his last class in the Greenhouse. For one, he had people that actually wanted to be around him opposed to being a pariah in his own house.
It was as they were walking out of the Greenhouse did Harry ask.
"What's after this? Since there weren't any morning classes besides the electives."
"Well... technically we have lunch," Blaise grinned at him.
"Please tell me I don't have to sit any classes with Gryffindor today?" Harry practically begged.
Theo snickered, "tough luck there, mate. Potions with Gryffindors right after lunch."
Harry muttered a curse under his breath at that.
"Come on Harry," Blaise teased, "Let’s get some food and get some energy before we face the hoard of backstabbing Gryffindors." The dark-skinned Italian looped his arms with Harry on one side and Theo on the other, practically skipping towards the Great Hall, dragging and laughing Harry and Theo with him.
Granted, he did stop right before the Great Hall since he did have an image to uphold as the Heir of Zabini. It wouldn't do for the entire school to see him act like a foolish Gryffindor. He could be himself, but Slytherins had their masks for a reason. Keeping themselves hidden from those they don't trust. Harry had called it a muggle game face once.
Poker.