And wasn't that the truth? Wasn't that why he'd walked to his death when he was only 17 instead of running off and letting Voldemort run the show? Wasn't that why he'd pretended to be fine for six weeks while his son got worse and worse? Wasn't that why he did everything? To hold everyone together, to be strong for them.
Which was why he was breaking down here, alone, and not surrounded by the people he loved. Because he simply couldn't allow himself to do it when they were around.
How about they are strong for themselves? Jamie's words echoed in his mind, and yet he knew he couldn't expect it of them. He was the strong one the one to protect them, that was how it had to be. Even if he couldn't protect his son.
Closing his eyes he let his father take over for a moment, then, slowly, collected himself enough to pull back. "Thank you," he said, swallowing. "I normally- Oh fuck it nothing is normal about this."
"You're right tough, I need to be strong for them. I just- It's harder than it usually is." He nodded though. "Yeah, I'm not giving up hope. I can't. Thank you for reminding me."