Share code in parsers of protocol version

[smelc]

Changelog

- description: |
    Share code in parsers of protocol version
# uncomment types applicable to the change:
  type:
  # - feature        # introduces a new feature
  # - breaking       # the API has changed in a breaking way
  # - compatible     # the API has changed but is non-breaking
  # - optimisation   # measurable performance improvements
  - refactoring    # QoL changes
  # - bugfix         # fixes a defect
  # - test           # fixes/modifies tests
  # - maintenance    # not directly related to the code
  # - release        # related to a new release preparation
  # - documentation  # change in code docs, haddocks...

Context

Spin-off of #864

How to trust this PR

• It doesn't change the runtime behavior
• I took the best bits of the two parsers (help messages, METAVAR)

Checklist

• Commit sequence broadly makes sense and commits have useful messages
• Self-reviewed the diff