History TearJerker / SkinGame

* In a way, Nicodemus's RedemptionRejection in the vault of Hades after Michael tries one last time to get him to change, pointing out that all he's done in the service of Hell has only caused suffering for him, Deirdre, and everyone else. And it's pretty clear that, even if he turned it down, for once Nicodemus might have actually been thinking about what Michael said -- but his {{Pride}} and his belief in himself have been so twisted that in the end even [[spoiler: having to murder his own daughter for his cause]] wasn't enough for him to have a HeelRealization.

** This is made [[HarsherInHindsight harsher in hindsight]] when one remembers that, near the beginning of the book, Murphy vowed that she would not be the cause of the unmaking of a Sword of the Cross, making her failure all the more poignant and personal.
** Murphy sobbing in the aftermath. Its clear that Nicodemus brought out all the insecurities she felt facing all kinds of overwhelming enemies over all the years, ''like Harry''. And unlike him, her {{pride}} prevents her from admitting it.

** Also, back in the hideout after Tessa killed Harvey, Deirdre mentions she wasn’t chasing her mother in retaliation, but ''to say goodbye''. And we still missed it.

** Also, back in the hideout after Tessa killed Harvey, Deirdre mentions she was not chasing her mother in retaliation, but ''to say goodbye''. And we still missed it.

** The fact that Harry's subconscious knows about her, and the implied terms of her deal with Mab and Demonreach from ''Ghost Story'', suggest that the little spirit has been aware of what Harry feels about her all along. And all his ''conscious'' side has been feeling about her, up to then, has been 1) wishing his migraines would go away, or 2) horrific fears about skull-popping ''Film/{{Alien}}''-style gore.

* Maggie quietly [[WhenYouComingHomeDad asking]] if Harry is mad at her. It's the only reason she can think of to explain why he's not around. The entire scene is one of the most poignant, emotionally moving scenes in the entire series. The heartache just keeps building as Maggie shows Harry her room, lets him tuck her in, and tell her a story before bed. In only a few pages, it manages to convey just how badly little Maggie wants her Daddy, and just how badly Harry wants to be there for her. Here Harry has been avoiding Maggie for her own good (he thinks), and not considering that so far as Maggie would see it, ''she'' must have done something terribly wrong for both her parents to be avoiding her.

* Butter's brutal WhatTheHellHero to Harry, showing how much the latter has become a BrokenPedestal those who had faith in him and detailing why he thinks Harry has [[CameBackWrong come back wrong]]. It's absolutely heartrending in that both sides have valid arguments here--Butters has seen horrible things that Harry may have been able to stop (and, from his point of view, that Harry has ''refused'' to stop), but Harry is only human, not a superhero, and has limits just like anyone else.

* In hindsight, Tessa's desperate attempts to stop Nick's plans, including being willing to kill Harvey, Harry, and anyone else who is needed for it to go forward. She's just trying to protect her daughter.

* Harry's confession to Michael is absolutely heartbreaking. Michael just sits and listens to him while Harry spills his guts out after having an untold amount of guilt ride him for years, which reduces the normally snarky Harry Dresden into a sobbing wreck. Michael then responds with his usual understanding and emotional support. Which of course makes Harry even MORE of a wreck because even after all the tragedy and loss, Michael STILL has his back.

* A small one, but when Harry tells Molly that he accidentally gave Michael the impression that they're sleeping together, [[UnrequitedLOve that has got to have hurt a little.]]
* In a way, Nicodemus's final RedemptionRejection in the vault of Hades after Michael tries one last time to get him to change, pointing out that all he's done in the service of Hell has only caused suffering for him, Deirdre, and everyone else. And it's pretty clear that, even if he turned it down, for once Nicodemus might have actually been thinking about what Michael said - but his {{Pride}} and his belief in himself have been so twisted that in the end even [[spoiler:having to murder his own daughter for his cause]] wasn't enough for him to have a HeelRealization.

--> '''Harry:''' That must have been ''exactly'' what Lucifer looked like, right before everything went to Hell.

* In a way, Nicodemus's final RedemptionRejection in the vault of Hades after Michael tries one last time to get him to change, pointing out that all he's done in the service of Hell has only caused suffering for him, Deirdre, and everyone else. And it's pretty clear that, even if he turned it down, for once Nicodemus might have actually been thinking about what Michael said - but his {{Pride}}, in the end, prevented even [[spoiler:having to murder his own daughter for his cause]] from finally getting through.

* Nicodemus's final RedemptionRejection in the vault of Hades after Michael tries one last time to get him to stop, pointing out that all he's done in the service of Hell has only caused suffering for him, his daughter, and everyone else. And it's pretty clear that, even if he turned it down, for once Nicodemus might have actually been thinking about what Michael said - but his {{Pride}}, in the end, prevented even [[spoiler:having to murder his own daughter for his cause]] from finally getting through.

* A small one, but when Harry tells Molly that he accidentally gave Michael the impression that they're sleeping together, [[UnrequitedLOve that has got to have hurt a little.]]

* Maggie quietly [[WhenYouComingHomeDad asking]] if Harry is mad at her. It's the only reason she can think of to explain why he's not around. As anyone with a child and a busy schedule knows, this is very realistic.
** Hell, the entire scene is one of the most poignant, emotionally moving scenes in the entire series thus far. The heartache just keeps building as Maggie shows Harry her room, lets him tuck her in, and tell her a story before bed. In only a few pages, it manages to convey just how badly little Maggie wants her Daddy, and just how badly Harry wants to be there for her. At "Do you want to be my Dad?", this troper put the book down and started sobbing openly.
** Right. Here Harry has been avoiding Maggie for her own good (he thinks), and not considering that so far as Maggie would see it, ''she'' must have done something terribly wrong for both her parents to be avoiding her. I hope this story has a happier continuation in the future (likewise that of his other daughter.)
* And Harry's ''other'' daughter, the "parasite" inside his head. As Mab's charm is freezing her, she apologizes for all the pain she's caused, but she can't help it.
** The fact that Harry's subconscious knows about her, and the implied terms of her deal with Mab and Demonreach from ''Ghost Story'', suggest that the little spirit has been aware of what Harry feels about her all along. And all his ''conscious'' side has been feeling about her, up to then, has been 1) wishing his migraines would go away, or 2) horrific fears about skull-popping ''Film/{{Alien}}''-style gore. Poor baby...
*** On the whole, it sometimes seems Harry gets a fair amount of love/respect/consideration from people (and Sidhe, and others) who he doesn't always understand or appreciate (e.g. also, Leanansidhe and Mab ''could'' have just held to the letter of their agreements with him, but have really done a lot more for him than that despite his attitudes to them in this and earlier books.)
* Butter's brutal WhatTheHellHero to Harry, showing how much the latter has become a BrokenPedestal those who had faith in him and detailing why he thinks Harry has [[CameBackWrong Come Back Wrong]]. It's absolutely heartrending in that both sides have valid arguments here--Butters has seen horrible things that Harry may have been able to stop (and, from his point of view, that Harry has ''refused'' to stop), but Harry is only human, not a superhero, and has limits just like anyone else.

--> [[RageBreakingPoint Something snapped.]] His chest stopped heaving. A SingleTear rolled down his cheek. [[TranquilFury And he said, in an utterly flat, utterly dead voice, "Kill them." ]]

*** Let's hope to freaking God that Bob had the good sense ''not'' to tell Andi what happened immediately, or at least chickened out of doing so.
*** There is a magical connection between Bob and his owner (Bob's personality takes after his owner, and needs his owner's permission to leave his skull, etc.), and so would probably wait until he felt the connection sever when Butters was killed before telling Andi.

*** Which does nicely explain why she's doing so much better by the end of the book: Butters shows her his lightsaber of Faith, and she realizes that while she screwed up, she ''didn't'' unmake the sword, which is likely a strong weight off her shoulders.
*** Hell, she arguably didn't screw up at all. She just got 'worked in mysterious ways'.

** For that matter, the scene in which Harry arrives at Michaels door: "I think I need help, I think I'm lost."

** Possibly because of the actions of her (non-shadow) mother (so to speak), worse yet. (Who didn't notice her presence in his mind, fortunately. hrm. Actually, was Harry ever dead, or just in a extremely, extremely near-death coma, rescued only by Mab and Demonreach... Still, anycase.)

** Possibly because of the actions of her (non-shadow) mother (so to speak), worse yet. (Who didn't notice her presence in his mind, fortunately. hrm. Actually, was Harry ever dead, or just in a extremely, extremely near-death coma, rescued only by Mab and Demonreach... Still, anycase.)

* The parasite's true nature provides a retroactive one: during ''Changes'', she was fully conscious and aware of everything going on [[note]]as shown by her partnership with Mab and Demonreach[[/note]] but completely [[AndIMustScream powerless]]. Her father killed himself and she could do ''nothing'' to stop it.

*** Let's hope to freaking God that Bob had the good sense ''not'' to tell Andi what happened immediately, then.

** The fact that Harry's subconscious knows about her, and the implied terms of her deal with Mab and Uriel from ''Ghost Story'', suggest that the little spirit has been aware of what Harry feels about her all along. And all his ''conscious'' side has been feeling about her, up to then, has been 1) wishing his migraines would go away, or 2) horrific fears about skull-popping ''Film/{{Alien}}''-style gore. Poor baby...

** For that matter, the scene in which Harry arrives at Michaels door: "I think I need help, I think I'm lost."