Second chance a new choice

The price

Penelope clutched Regulus' hand as they stood outside the mansion's front door. We're doing this. We're really doing this! It's too easy.

Regulus gripped the heavy brass knocker and rapped three times, each strike firm, but not too loud.

Rain soaked them and a chill made Penelope shiver like a twig in a hurricane. She pulled her school robe over them both, forming an ill-fitting, dripping green tent. Regulus ditched his own robes ages ago—due to their untimely demise during apparation.

No one came to the door.

Regulus knocked again.

Almost soundlessly, the door cracked, then swung wide. A young woman—gorgeous by any standard, with long, brown hair and heavy eyelashes—stood in the doorway. She reminded Penelope of Regulus and Sirius—all except for the open surprise on her face.

"Regulus," said the woman. "What are you doing here?"

"I have no idea, Bella," said Regulus. "Mum and Dad took Gonoril and me from Hogwarts—something about it not being safe for us there right now."

Right. Gonoril. That's me. Penelope crowded a little closer to Regulus.

"Gonoril's parents are in France, so I decided to take her home, but Mum said we can't stay there either, so she apparated us there." He tossed his most sincere glance out into the rain. "She just left."

Bellatrix seemed intrigued. "Something's happening at Hogwarts?" She raised a brow and mumbled something about fortunate timing and how happy her master would be to hear such news.

"Can we come in?" said Regulus. "It's cold out here."

Bellatrix checked over her shoulder. "Very well." She stepped out of the doorway. "You're going directly to the guest quarters, and you will not leave them," she said. "Rodolphus has important guests."

"Of course." Regulus nodded.

As Bellatrix led them toward the wide stairs, Penelope tried to catch glimpses of said "guests," but Bellatrix blocked the view every time Penelope thought she might succeed.

"This way." Bellatrix herded them upstairs. "I wouldn't be too curious if I were you, little Miss...?"

"Selwyn," Regulus provided. "Gonoril Selwyn."

"Good, good." Bellatrix nodded. "I shall expect nothing less of someone you've invited into my house, Regulus."

They reached the second-floor landing and followed a long corridor.

"Do you have any idea what the commotion at Hogwarts was about?" said Bellatrix.

"No," Regulus answered with no hint of deception. "Our leaving was pretty rushed."

"Hmm." Bellatrix halted between two grand doors. "Well, in you go." She pointed to the far door.

Both Regulus and Penelope went for the guest room.

"Oh, not you, Ms. Selwyn." Bellatrix blocked her path. "It's not appropriate for a lady to share a room with a man. You'll stay in there." She pointed to another intricate door... at the other end of the hall. "You'll find some of my old dresses in the closet. Feel free to choose one for yourself. That school uniform—waterlogged state aside—is hardly fitting for a lady in a home like this."

"Thank you, Miss." Penelope curtsied.

"It's Mrs.," said Bellatrix with a proud smile as she presented a grand ring, crowned with a large, oval, wine-red stone that glinted at its core.