Location: Atlas apartment, British Museum Station
Time: 14th of February, about 1-2hours after panic broke out
Status: Closed, for @fletchermundungus
“No, thank you!” Lu shrieked the moment the first curse flew by them, nearly ruining their 20-galleon-hairstyle.
One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. Three heartbeats. Dorcas yelled their name.
“What?” They didn’t know what was happening, they didn’t know where anyone was who they remotely cared about, and they sure as hell didn’t want to die by someone like Dorcas’ side. “It was a lovely evening with you my dear,” they said, putting a hand on her arm, “but I think it’s time for me to go. You see, I do not mind dying, but I’d rather it happens with some sleeping pills or a pillow while I’m fast asleep, and I certainly don’t want to die in England. Can you imagine? Your body rotting in this godforsaken muddy weather? No, no, no, thank you.” Another curse flew past them and they shook their head vigorously, expressing the fear they felt with every single feature of their face, no single attempt made to hide it -- and by that making it look like it was barely genuine. “Besides, I can’t run in this dress, and I wouldn’t want to ruin it, so-..!” They were gone before they could listen to the whole extent of Dorcas’ answer.
Safety. That was what they thought: safety. Earlier that day, while being briefed, they had learnt that during the event, some Order members would ensure the apparition wards were taken down, and while there was always a chance that the ones on the upper floor where Dorcas and Lu had been, were still intact, Lu was more than willing to take the risk. Désartibulement seemed way less of a gruesome death than whatever accidental curse could be thrown at their head in the middle of a battle, and after all, they had a marvellous medicine cabinet at home in case something were to happen, so really, all they needed to do was get to--
It wasn’t the Travers House on which stoops Lu apparated; it was Mundungus Fletcher’s apartment.
British Museum, read the yellowed sign above the entrance, and the door clicked open when Lu stepped closer as it always did. The apartment was empty. Lu didn’t have to look into every corner to know. They just knew. It felt lonely.
They took a shaky breath and closed the door behind them. It was much quieter than the crowded party, especially after that startling shatter of glass had pierced through the good mood, but even compared to the old Travers House, where no one was ever around during the day but for the maids and servants, this felt quiet and lonely. “Nefertiti?” they called, meaning it as a joke as they had never believed that Atlas was actually haunted by a ghost. Did they believe it now? Or did they just want someone to call their name back?
Whatever it was, it was the same line of thinking that kept them speaking to themselves out loud, in English, as they spotted their empty casserole on the kitchen counter. “Have I never brought it home?” They laughed, the sound as light and sweet as always. “First my coat, then my favourite pillow, and now my pyrex. What comes next? My toothbrush and condom drawer?” They couldn’t remember cleaning the casserole, but as they lifted the glass lid, it looked and smelled perfectly clean. “Perfect to be filled again, non?”
There wasn’t much food in the cupboards, but Lu had lived in ... lower-class circumstances long enough to know how to make do. At first they sighed: “Nothing, nothing, nothing. Absolutely nothing to be found here!” but then they turned back to the empty room and made do. Humming a melody and keeping a cheerful smile on their lips, they cut everything up, prepared a sauce, then placed it all into the casserole. “The only thing I shall ever put into an oven,” they grinned -- proud of their own joke and as always making this very clear by the exaggerated way their features expressed it, to a point that it almost looked like a sarcastic statement. They were already back up on their feet with their hands on the oven door -- it stood ajar and allowed Lu a last look at the golden light illuminating their dish -- when they realised: “J’ai pas du tout faim...” They weren’t hungry.
The heat made the dish flicker in the oven light, meeting Lu’s face in a warmth that was first welcoming and promising, then too hot, too uncomfortable. “Tu te rappelles comment on cachait de la bouffe dans notre chambre? Toujours inquiets que Papa pourrait nous enfermer à nouveau, pendant des jours, pas par une clés mais par sa colère et le son de ses pas dans le couloir…”
The entrance door clicked open.
With a jump, Lu shut the oven door and swung around, eyes wide, lips parted, wand raised.
"Atlas.” They exhaled his name in a breathy chuckle. “You idiot, have you never heard about knocking!” Their voice was shaking but bright, loud, strong. “You could at least make some sound instead of sneaking up on me like that, I mean, what are you trying to do, hm?” This time their laugh sounded more fortified as they turned back to the kitchen counter and began picking up the vegetable skins. “Before you ask, yes we’re having vegetables. No, I don’t care that you wish to die on a diet of fish, chips and porridge, you’re getting vegetables tonight, they’re already in the oven. And don’t bother telling me you’re not hungry, because I am! I haven’t eaten in three days to fit into this dress and I damn deserve a huge plate of food with cheese on top now. Besides, you know what they say: l'appetit vient en mangeant.”