Thank you: it always means a lot to writers when their reader's review ^^ Yes, Severus would have been devestated to leave Harry in his misery, let alone actively causing the child distress; I think their tragedy is a necessary foil for the fluffier aspects of the story and, of course, it leaves almost all the canon events unaltered. As for Albus, I think that the 'greater good', like his anti-slytherin bias, is a powerful force behind his decision-making; by remaining a DE, Severus would be in a position to save lives, protect students and, ultimately, bring down Voldemort and, if Severus and Harry's happiness had to be sacrificed, so be it. We see Dumbledore making similar decisions in the canon and I feel that it would be in character for him to clinically decide that dozens of lives were worth more than two people's happiness :(

I'm really glad that you enjoyed this fic and thank you for your kind compliments; I really enjoyed writing this little story (even though the sad parts made me choke up too) and I'm honoured that you rate it so highly ^^