Early November 1994
Severus hated being called out of class for any reason; it was disruptive to the other students, it put his lesson plans behind schedule, but most of all it was embarrassing. Today, not only did that just occur during his second year lecture on swelling solutions, but it had to be for something as foolish as fighting. What could his son have been thinking; muggle fighting of all things?
He stormed into the hospital wing, robes billowing around him, where both boys sat on beds opposite each other, thankfully with a curtain between them so neither could see the other. Poppy was tutting about between them reprimanding both boys about their atrocious behavior.
Severus approached the bed of his 14 year old son. It was less than a week since Harry's name was selected from the Goblet of Fire and he knew it had caused a rift between Harry and Ron, however he never expected it to go this far; otherwise he would have absolutely stepped in. Harry was nursing a bloody lip with a handkerchief and had the start of a black eye when Severus walked up to his bedside.
"Care to explain to me why I was interrupted from my second year lecture?" Severus said, sitting in the chair beside his bed and casting a muffliato behind him.
"He started it I swear," Harry complained. "He's being a total prat about this whole tournament thing!"
"I do not care who started it, however from what I have heard you threw the first punch. I do not condone fighting of any kind and you know that Harry," he steepled his fingers sighing disappointedly. "You will be serving detention every night for the next week-"
"You know, no one else has a parent as a professor to assign detentions!" Harry interrupted, "besides, Professor McGonagall already assigned detention and took points from both of us."
"As she should have, but this will be in addition to her detentions and I guarantee you even though Mrs. Weasley is not a professor here, Ron will get his punishment," Severus explained. "You will also not be permitted to go to the next Hogsmeade weekend."
"What?!" Harry yelled. "That's not fair, what did you expect me to do?"
"I expected you to walk away from the situation and let a professor handle it," he knew it was always hard for Harry to trust adults to look out for his best interest. While he had been getting better with it each year, Severus knew it was likely something his son would always struggle with.
"I'm sorry Severus," Harry said looking over at the man.
"Apology accepted, but your punishments still stand. Hopefully after all of this, you will learn your lesson. Try not to let him get to you, Ron will come around at some point; give him time," he picked up the tin of bruise salve and gently started applying it to Harry's black eye. "I should let this heal the muggle way since that's how you decided to get it in the first place."