The One Who Was Forgiven
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling. Inspired by a plotbunny from D.J. Malfoy at FictionAlley
The door to the confessional chamber was open, startling the priest from his light doze. He focused on the woman's voice, beginning with the traditional Catholic confession.
"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been thirty years since my last confession. I know thirty years is a long time, almost too long of a time to return here, but I needed to. I must admit that I do not know if I believe in God anymore, but I used to come to this cathedral in happier days. It is the only place I could think of for comfort," the woman said, as he heard her blow her nose.
"Yes, my child? What is your sin?" the priest asked, quite curious at what would bring a woman back to the Church after thirty years of absence, especially if she wasn't sure she believed in God anymore.
"…I…I let a boy I love like a grandson be taken and put in an abusive home…" she cried. "His aunt and uncle beat him, he's so unhappy!"
The priest sat back and folded his hands on his lap. He didn't know what to say. Getting the boy out of an abusive household was a legal issue – not a moral one.
"Pray," the priest said finally, "that's all you can do in this case. Pray, and hope that God answers your prayers."
The woman sobbed her ascent, and gathered up the remaining shreds of her dignity before exiting the confessional. Opening the door, the snow whirled around her slender figure before her silhouette disappeared, and a grey tabby cat ran away from the cathedral doors.