Chapter 139
Harry came out of the tavern crying heavily; he hurried to sit on a large rock and began to sob.
Hermione was able to trace Harry's footsteps in the snow despite his Invisibility Cloak she followed the trail and saw that his footprints stopped at a big rock.
She stopped there as well, removed Harry's cloak, and saw him with his head bowed, tears streaming down his face.
Hermione and Ron were surprised; they hadn't expected Harry to cry, which meant something had happened in the tavern that broke him so badly.
Hermione, trying to comfort him, asked, "Harry! What happened? Are you okay? Why are you crying?!"
Ron also spoke up to check on his friend.
After a moment Harry steadied himself, and anger showed on his face as he said, "That criminal! Sirius Black! He was the reason my parents died! He betrayed his close friend for Voldemort! I swear I'll be the one to kill him to avenge Mum and Dad!"
When Harry finished, Hermione and Ron were stunned by the news. They hadn't expected that Albert's father could be involved to that extent that he could be the cause of Harry's parents' deaths.
Suddenly the three heard footsteps behind them. They turned and saw Albert approaching, carrying a small bag filled with sweets and nuts.
Albert signaled that he had arrived at last.
But what awaited Albert was far from pleasant.
When Hermione saw Albert coming, she turned quickly to stop Harry but Harry had already moved.
Albert didn't realize when Harry reached him; Harry lunged and they both fell to the ground.
Harry spoke angrily, his eyes full of tears. "Because of your father! Because of him my Mum and Dad died! Damn him! What would he feel if I killed you?! Would that be revenge for killing my parents?! Why did he do it? Why did he betray them?!"
Albert had never expected such a scene.
He had actually forgotten that, in the original story, Harry learns the truth in the tavern from Professor McGonagall Albert had been distracted earlier by things he liked in the shop.
When Harry first grabbed Albert, he punched Albert in the face his rage had taken over, and he didn't know what he was doing or saying.
Albert then grabbed Harry's cloak and shoved him back a little; snow dusted Harry's clothes.
Albert motioned toward Harry, who was still on the ground, and asked, "Where did you hear that from?!"
Albert knew perfectly well where Harry had heard it, but he wanted to act as though he himself did not know.
Harry stood up angrily. "I heard it from Professor McGonagall! She wouldn't lie about something like that she was there at the time!!"
Albert brushed the snow off his own clothes and told Harry, "Forget it! Everything you heard from Professor McGonagall is just rumors — baseless and untrue!"
Harry wouldn't accept Albert's words and tried to lunge at him again, intending to strike him once more, the fury growing inside him.
But Hermione and Ron managed to hold Harry back at the right moment.
"Let me go!" Harry shouted. "I swear !"
Hermione wanted Albert to say something to justify his father's actions, but he remained silent.
Albert realized Harry would not calm down easily, so he sighed, paused for a few seconds, and finally said, "Do you want proof that my father didn't kill your parents?!"
Harry and the others fell silent, astonished at Albert's words.
Harry shot back immediately, "Come on then tell us! I swear, if you're joking, I'll kill you and your father both!"
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To be continued...