Chapter 73 is now up at AoOO. For complete chapter and complete story, go to my profile here and click on the second link.
From Chapter 73:
"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione inquired after their meeting with Snape, her furry ears twitching anxiously at the pained expression on Harry's face.
"I... I dunno Hermione," Harry replied truthfully. "I'm not really sure. Today's been really... kind of scary. Voldemort's back and he murdered a little boy. You helped Dumbledore kill another Horcrux..."
"And... and then Snape-he finally told me the truth about how he felt about my mum... and my dad, and also how..." tears sprang to Harry's eyes "...how he told Voldemort about the prophecy..."
"My mum and dad... they might still be alive if...if..." Harry heaved a sob, "Why did Snape tell me the truth Hermione? He didn't have to... I was getting used to him being nice to me. He could have just let me go on like that..."
"Don't get me wrong-I understand that Snape changed sides so that Dumbledore could save my mum when he found out Voldemort was going to kill her. I know Pettigrew is the one who truly sold my mum and my dad out... I've known that for a long while, since last year..."
"I know I forgave Snape... And I would again-knowing everything I know now... and after everything he's done to help me since you turned half-cat... Especially because Snape was brave enough to finally tell me the truth himself."
"But it still hurts Hermione... I almost wish he hadn't told me!"
Harry's dam burst and the tears flowed in earnest as he sobbed. Hermione cuddled her husband and curled her furry tail around him. She didn't say anything. She just held him in her arms and let him cry.
Harry was always so brave. Even when he shed tears, he never really permitted himself to have a proper cry. He had even held himself back when his Uncle Vernon had been exposed in the muggle press for beating Harry and sharing pictures of Harry's injured body with his twisted friends. Harry had let the tears out eventually over that-but they'd had to be pulled out like teeth.
And really, Hermione understood that those tears had been more for her pain than for himself-tainted with humiliation and anger over how they had both been treated by people who should have loved them.
For the first time in his life, Harry was just sobbing in grief, and allowing himself the luxury to do so. Hermione knew she had to help him let it all out. This wasn't a time for comforting words or calming draughts. Harry just needed to cry and release the pain he had held within for so long.
