~Always~

Regret

Severus stood in front of Draco, towering the young boy to add an extra element of intimidation. He sighed heavily one last time before giving Draco a piece of his mind. "You amaze me Mr Malfoy. It has been a mere half hour since I last lectured you and yet here you are, once again testing my patience and directly disobeying me by hurting my owl."

"I'm sorry professor. I didn't mean to hit it, I swear. I was aiming for Potter after he was making fun of me." Malfoy tried to reason, trying to appear as innocent as possible.

"Oh and that makes everything all right does it?" Severus demanded. "Did I not just finish telling you that I will not tolerate bullies in my house? Or was that just inside my head? It seems as though you have a problem obeying me, Malfoy. You are lucky that Hogwarts no longer accepts corporal punishment. Otherwise, you would be receiving much more than a petty lecture from myself. You are not some Muggle-born fresh from London, you have been raised with wizarding etiquette and have been trained to follow pureblood traditions. You know the proper ways to behave. Or so I thought. Clearly, I am mistaken. You have behaved no better than a toddler throwing a tantrum over something highly insignificant. As further punishment, you shall go back to the lab and scrub another ten cauldrons. Obviously, you do not have enough work to keep you occupied and out of trouble. Furthermore, since you seem to regard my demands as something to obeyed only when you feel like it, I will be writing a letter to Narcissa tonight, informing her of inexcusable behavior and attitude problem."

"No! Don't!" Malfoy ordered.

"Do not tell me what to do, Malfoy! One way or another you are going to learn the value of obedience, and if I can not get through to you, perhaps your mother shall." Snape spat.

"No. Don't tell her." Draco pleaded.

"Go back and finish all of your cauldrons, boy. And send Potter in here." Severus was unmoved by Draco's pleads. The snake had gone too far and had crossed the line one too many times.

Draco sulked back to the laboratory. He couldn't believe that Snape was going to send his mother a letter. Narcissa would be highly displeased and ashamed. He could bet ten gallons that he would receive a howler before lunch time tomorrow. Draco crossed his fingers in hopes that Narcissa wouldn't tell his father, that was one thing he couldn't face.

Severus rubbed his forehead, with his thumb resting on his temple and his forefinger gently rubbing back and forth in hopes to remove the sudden tension that was taking over. Usually, he did not like to involve a student's parents in disciplinary actions, the majority of the time his stern lectures and detentions were enough to stop the little brats to tip toe around him, especially if they were Snakes. Severus had a strong belief that parents should not get involved unless it was completely serious. But Severus also knew that Draco would lose all respect and trust for him if he did go back on his word. As much as Severus disliked it, he would send a letter to Narcissa that night. But first, he had to discuss his decision to become Harry's legal guardian. Truth being told, he dreaded that more than dealing with Narcissa and Draco. Severus drew all thoughts aside and inhaled deeply.

Harry entered the office a moment later, his sleeves still rolled up, clearly exposing his spindly arms and he smelt faintly of soap, water, and polish. His dark hair was sticking up all over the place, and it was evident to see that Harry was curious and anxious to know why he had been summoned. But he held his tongue, waiting for Severus to speak first. 

Severus gestured for Harry to take a seat, he then sealed the office with a silencing charm; he had a feeling that Draco would want to know why Harry was summoned as well.

"Am I in trouble sir?" Harry questioned. If he was he wanted to get the lecture out of the way as soon as possible, before Severus could reply, Harry braced himself.