The Fidelius Charm and Lily Evans (Part One)

His jaw was set like cold stone, his thin lips pressed into a bloodless line.

Every vicious word froze and shattered in his throat. The air in the office seemed to congeal at that name, growing so heavy it was hard to breathe.

"Shut up, Dumbledore! Shut up!"

Severus Snape's voice was hoarse and taut. Every word came forced through clenched teeth, trembling despite his efforts to hold it steady. His fingers tightened around his wand until his knuckles turned white and creaked. His black robes stirred though there was no wind. It was not the fabric moving, but the roiling magic inside him, tearing at everything he wore as it struggled to burst free.

"You have no right to say her name."

Dumbledore stood where he was. He did not retreat or advance or even shift his stance. His hands hung at his sides, fingers slightly spread in a posture that offered no defense. Behind his lenses, his blue eyes rested on Severus Snape. There was no fear in them, no wariness, only an understanding that bordered on pity.

Severus Snape took a step forward. It landed with crushing weight, drawing a faint groan from the floorboards. He did not raise his wand, but a visible halo of dark magic had already gathered at its tip. It pulsed like a swelling heart.

"Tell me. Why weren't you the Secret Keeper for the Fidelius Charm back then?!"

The words exploded from his throat like lightning finally breaking through clouds that had held it back for too long. The flames in the fireplace shrank under the force of his voice, and the silver instruments on the windowsill rattled.

"You knew Tom wouldn't dare come after you! You knew it! You were the only person he feared! Everyone in the Wizarding World