In truth, it was consuming them both. Harry, himself, was struggling to breathe. Just seeing Hermione this inconsolably upset was beyond his breaking point. He vainly fought against tears and softly kissed the top of her head, hoping it might help soothe her. He was eminently pleased that he hadn't found a way to tell her all of the awful truth yet ... he didn't think he could have coped with seeing her so fitfully anxious on top of her heart-wrenching sorrow.   