The outburst was unexpected, but Seamus far preferred it over the crying. Tears left him floundering, but he knew how to handle anger. "What are you bloody talking about?" His voice rose to meet hers. "What sin? You're talking like you deserve this or something! You think Penelope deserved this? You think Harry did? Do you think they were all meant to die because of some 'sin'?" He'd been raised Catholic - well, as much as his magic and his mother's wrangling could manage - but Seamus hadn't put much stock in original sin for all the unfairness of it. And whatever imagined crime Lavender might think she was guilty of, Seamus didn't buy it for a second.
Reaching across the table, Seamus caught her face between his hands, made her look at him. "Lavender, we keep telling you because we want it to be true, all right? You might find it empty, but I - we have hope, dammit. No one is writing you off. No one. But you can't expect anyone to help when you won't explain anything." He took a deep breath and forced himself to soften his tone. "I've asked you twice now, so please, please, Lavender, try to make me understand."