HP: Wormwood and Lightning Wood

West awoke from the darkness.

The cellar was dark, the fireplace was not lit, and only a small candle on the wall emitted a faint light.

West sat up. "Severus?"

Snape pushed the door open and came in. "Awake?"

West rubbed his temples and made the time visible. "I slept all night?"

"Do you remember what happened yesterday?" Snape sat down on the edge of the bed, looking worried, and touched West's hand.

Wester grasped Snape's hand in return, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "I remember, I just couldn't control myself, Severus."

"Why?" Snape asked, puzzled. "Is it a side effect of dark magic?"

"No." West frowned, dismissing the possibility. "I guess it might be." West pulled Snape's right hand and placed it on his own arm.

"The Dark Curse? I thought it wouldn't affect you anymore." Snape rolled up West's sleeve, revealing the crescent-shaped scar.

It is crescent-white in color and lies quietly on the arm, looking harmless and just a very ordinary birthmark.

"That's how it should be," West said, still unable to make sense of it, "but it certainly poses no threat to me now."

Snape slapped West's arm, making a loud "smack." "You'd pass out if you weren't a threat?"

"At least for now, everything's alright." West carefully considered his feelings. "Logically speaking, it's already part of my energy. I feel more like I'm subconsciously manipulating this energy."

Unable to figure out the reason for a while, and after confirming that the Dark Curse would no longer flare up for no reason, West leaned against Snape with a happy smile, nuzzling his fluffy head against Snape's shoulder, "Kiss me, Severus."

A ripple of emotion stirred within Snape, his face hardening. "No."

"Alright," West said regretfully, "then I'll kiss you." With that, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to Snape's slightly parted lips, their breaths mingling together.

After the kiss, Snape was breathless. He gritted his teeth, took two deep breaths, and said, "Sometimes I really admire your ability to understand."

West smiled and tried to kiss her again, but Snape raised his hand and blocked them from each other.

"Veigh, I think you can explain what this is?" Snape showed the ring on his hand.

West paused, then cautiously asked, "You know?"

Snape squinted. "What do you think?"

"Hmm..." West pondered, then closed his eyes in despair. "Severus, if you want to beat me up, then come on."

Snape was somewhat amused and exasperated. "Why would I hit you?"

"Because I tricked you into wearing the Somerset family ring without your permission..." West opened his eyes, his green eyes sparkling, carefully observing Snape's expression. Seeing that Snape was indeed not angry, he continued, "to let everyone know that we are a couple..."

Snape paused, then murmured, "Everyone?"

"Perhaps that's an exaggeration?" West scratched his head. "But most pure-blood families can tell."

Snape: ...No wonder the rumors spread so fast, so that's why!

Snape said, enunciating each word clearly, "I really want to punch you now."

West continued, "With this ring, you can sense my location simply by infusing it with magic."

Snape lightly touched the ring with his fingertips, and a subtle magical fluctuation traveled along his meridians. A faint silver-blue light appeared in his vision—it was West's location.

The ring acted as a medium, connecting them together, and he could even sense West's feelings to some extent.

Joyful and warm.

"It is also the key to the Somerset vault, which allows you free access to our Gringotts vault."

Snape stroked the gemstone set in the ring, his Adam's apple bobbing. "We weren't even officially a couple back then. How could you entrust it to me like that?"

West reached out and placed his hand on Snape's hand. "Whether we're together or not, its owner will always be only one person, and that is Severus Snape."

"You must always wear it, Severus," West said solemnly. "It will bring me to your side if you are in danger."

Snape paused for a moment, then changed the subject with a complicated expression. "There's one more thing. After you fell unconscious last night, Lucius came to see us."

Snape recounted the conversation from the previous night, then took out the Portkey. "It seems Voldemort isn't planning to let either you or Harry go."

A look of guilt suddenly appeared in his eyes, "If I hadn't told him the prophecy..."

"Severus, look at me," West said, lifting Snape's face. "This isn't your fault, okay?"

"No, it's my fault." Snape frowned in anguish.

Fourteen years ago, that betrayal killed Lily, and now, Voldemort has set his sights on West.

"Listen, the people who deserve to die the most are Peter Pettigrew and Voldemort, they are the real culprits. Sirius trusted the wrong people, do you think he's an accomplice in my eyes?" West said.

"You didn't hear the whole prophecy, did you, Severus?" West kissed Snape's cheek. "Ignorance is no excuse."

Snape was at a loss for words. "...I don't want to discuss this anymore."

"Alright, let's continue discussing the Portkey. I'll be there." While Snape wasn't looking, West put the Portkey into his ring.

"You scoundrel!" Snape cursed, but did not stop him.

He knew West was a must-go. Everything was for victory.

"With the Portkey, I can pinpoint Voldemort's location," West sighed. He could finally catch this viper.

After a while, the two arrived at the principal's office.

Dumbledore and Grindelwald checked West over to make sure he was indeed alright.

"That doesn't make sense, does it? To me, everything has a reason." Dumbledore stroked his white beard, puzzled.

"It's obvious we can't find the reason right now," Snape said.

Dumbledore waved his hand. "That's all for now. I'll look into it. By the way, West, Harry is very worried about you. Perhaps you should go see him."

Vestel nodded. "Of course." He happened to have something to give to Harry.

It's already noon, and Harry is probably having lunch in the Great Hall.

A Westerbotth student called Harry to the common room.

"West?! Are you alright?" Harry asked eagerly as soon as he came in.

"Do I look like something's wrong?" West asked.

Harry looked him up and down.

Hmm. A rosy complexion means that even if something's wrong, it's a good thing.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "You suddenly fainted yesterday, it scared us to death. Seriously, if anyone should have fainted, it should have been me, right? Who told me it was just a little pain?"

West remained composed, showing no sign of the panic one might expect from deceiving his brother. He calmly said, "I've come to see you, firstly to let you know I'm safe and sound, and secondly, to give you something."

He took out the teardrop-shaped pendant and put it on Harry's finger. "Keep it with you and don't take it off."

"What is this?" Harry asked curiously, stroking the surface of the pendant.

"The teleportation pendant," West said, recalling the portal key. "Even though it might not be of much use now, it's good to keep it just in case."