The Fidelius Charm and Lily Evans (III)

"You want me to watch them. You want me—the Head of Slytherin—to be your eyes, your ears, the most loyal hound you planted in that silver-and-green snake pit." His voice rose, carrying an almost cruel accusation. "Am I a dog raised by your Gryffindor? In your eyes, am I worse than a dog? At least a dog doesn't have to bite the pups in its own nest."

Dumbledore stood where he was, utterly still. His hands still hung at his sides, fingers spread, maintaining that unguarded posture. But his eyes had changed. It was not the anger of being offended, nor the panic of being exposed. It was something deeper, the pain of having someone drive a knife into an old scar and twist it.

"The Shadow Circle is no ordinary club, Severus," he finally said hoarsely. "You know that."

"What do I know?" Snape shot back at once. "Everything I know is what you allowed me to know. Of the things you let me know, how much was true, and how much was carefully selected so that I would think in exactly the direction you wanted?" He stepped closer, until less than an arm's length separated him from Dumbledore. "You say the Shadow Circle is dangerous. Where is the evidence? Which school rule have they broken? Which student have they hurt? Or do they merely drink tea in the common room, chat, and praise the greatness of pure-bloods? Didn't Slytherin students do those things before? You didn't care before. Why do you care now?"

He stared into Dumbledore's eyes.

"Because of that 'lord.' Because of the person behind the Malfoy Family. Because of that 'Voldemort' you have investigated for so long without finding anything, the one keeping you awake at night. You think he is infiltrating Hogwarts through the