A/N: For the "Game of Life" challenge with the prompts healing, revelation, and staircase I give you:

Helping Hands

Draco heard the laughter from behind him. Some of his fellow Slytherins had heard his declaration stating he would "never be like my father". It wasn't that Draco regretted making the statement, but he was disliking the glares and people making fun of him in the halls. It had never been like that for him. Not until this year when he showed he would never be like the other Slytherins. He would not blindly follow a madman, despite his family's allegiance. And that had been confirmed when his father sent a howler. "DO NOT CONSIDER YOURSELF A MALFOY! YOU ARE DISOWNED FROM HEREON FORTH DRACO!"

That Howler alone sent a frenzy of attacks on the Slytherin. He'd been attacked verbally, physically and with spells of all sorts. In the following week he'd been sent to the Hospital Wing three times. That was more often than Potter. Draco tried to keep the whispers from hitting his ears and tried to make sure he didn't know what was going on. As much as his first instinct was to attach someone before they attacked him, that was something the old Draco would do and he was trying to force himself from that mindset as much as he could.

As he was climbing the stairs to head to the library, the bag at his side split and he groaned and reached down to pick up his fallen books, quill and ink. He didn't notice the person watching him, waiting for that moment to send a cruciatus. Fortunately for him, or perhaps not so fortunately, someone else did notice. "Cruiciatus!"

"Draco!" Someone yelled and jumped in front of the curse, falling to the floor in pain. Draco looked over, surprised to see that Harry Potter of all people had taken the curse. Draco growled and stood, pulling his wand out and sending a binding spell at the person who'd sent the cruciatus. Unfortunately that person had turned as soon as they'd realized their failed plot. Draco cringed and turned towards Harry and held out a hand. Harry took it and stood up carefully, winded. Harry laughed suddenly which caused Draco to tilt his head confused. Harry shook his head. "Oh Malfoy, who knew that after meeting 6 years ago, we'd be here and I would be taking your hand."

"Potter? Did you get some brain damage while under the cruciatus for all of 10 seconds?" Draco asked rolling his eyes. He sighed. "Also, please, call me Draco. I am no longer allowed to go by Malfoy."

"O-oh. Sorry. I forgot." Harry blushed. He nodded and quickly pulled his hand away, which Draco hadn't realized he was still holding. Hermione quickly made her way up the stairs towards them. "Harry, are you ok? Who did it?"

"I-I'm not sure." Harry answered. "Some Slytherin who was trying to attack Draco."

Ron looked between Draco and Harry and frowned. "Just because of that Howler?" Ron asked with confusion. "They are still his house."

"Not entirely Weasley. A house is only loyal to their kind." Draco quickly picked up his fallen items and turned to look at the trio. They had their place and it wasn't around him. "Thank you for your help."

As he was about to turn and go, Harry put out an arm and put a hand on his shoulder. "Draco… if you want, you can come hang out with us. We were just going to play Wizard's chess."

Draco frowned, but realized that unless he accepted their offer, he'd be up in the library, studying and avoiding those in his house. "I-if you don't mind…" He looked at Ron, who shrugged. Hermione smiled. "Well, it gives us a little more competition."

Harry grinned himself and nodded. "We'd love to have you join us."

Draco nodded and surprised himself by following the Golden trio he had always picked on and hated. When it came to friends, he realized that they had always had the friendship he'd always wanted, but could never have had among his House. He found himself being included in conversation and feeling comfortable and at peace. He knew it probably couldn't last, but for now he had a bit of comfort among a group that used to be his enemies.