Author's Note (Do people even read this? Skip if you want):

Not gonna skip the note, huh? Well, I'm not going to say too much to avoid spoiling latter chapters. But I do hope you will give this story a shot and I hope you like it! Now without further ado, let's get on with the story.

Inquiries on Immortality and other Subjects

Chapter 1: St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

There was a distinct scent about the London air—the type that is somewhat similar to a combination of other aromas, a bit of smoke there, but the most defining description would be "smelling like London". And on this particular day, there was a light mix of sweat as people hustled around the crowded streets. The sun bore down the full force of the summer heat in the cloudless sky, shone upon a man knelt down next the wheel of an automobile, tools in hand. An older man sat within, scanning the front of a newspaper, absentmindedly handing coins to a boy waiting, satchel under arm.

A young woman leaned against a red brick wall not too far, eyeing them with boredom. She took a long drag from the cigarette that was held deftly between her fingers, then breathed out, watched the smoke swirl before vanishing, when she noticed a dab of bright blue.

A man that looked to be around his early forties or late thirties with a long crooked nose strode in a leisurely pace, donning an electric blue suit that looked like it had recently been doused in dye. His eyes scaled the bricks building the wall, almost as if he could see through them, before his eyes trailed down to the woman. The man's eyebrows rising for a fraction, a kind smile spreading on his lips.

"Pleasant morning to you, Tiana." He greeted, stopping before her.

With a wave of the hand, the cigarette vanished, much like the smoke that was drawn from it, into the air. She let her arm drop to her side.

"You speak as if we meet every so-often." Tiana commented. She gave him a once over. "Outfit to match the weather?"

"Ah." The man breathed looking up to the sky as if it's the first time he saw it that day. "A coincidence on my part. Or perhaps I may have dormant ability as a Seer."

Tiana almost scoffed. "Wouldn't be surprised if you were."

The man met her glance again.

"Outside to appreciate the clear day?" he inquired.

"Outside—even though it is scorching— to see a different scene that maladies and hospital beds." She replied, watching the wheel of the automobile come loose. "A few new ones came in last night. More people who had fled from France."

The expression on the man's face seemed to darken a shade as his expression shifted to neutral.

"I see."

"You will, once you head inside." Tiana straightened up away from the wall. "They're not hard to miss, the French."

The man blinked. A twinkle seeming to find its place in his eyes. "Indeed?"

"At least to moi, it is apparent zhat zhey had come from France."

A light chuckle shook the man's shoulders. "You accuse me of greeting you with familiarity, yet here you are speaking to me nonchalantly. "

"I don't have any remaining energy or patience for formalities. Quite frankly, I'd like very much to go home and collapse into my covers." Tiana replied as her saw the young boy carrying the newspapers watch them with a curious look on his face. "But there are still people in there that need healing as of now. I can just hope to have time to catch up on rest before more arrive."

The boy approached them almost shakily, raising a sheet that displayed the headline in thick black letters above an unmoving picture. The man turned his head at the child then blinked with unmasked interest.

"Would you like a copy of today's newspaper?"

Tiana raised a brow. "Isn't it 'Would you like to purchase a copy?'? Are you giving them away for free now?"

The boy's ear grew red, and he lowered the paper.

"I would like a copy." The man said.

He instantly brightened up, shoving the issue a little too enthusiastically into the man's hand. The man fished for a few coins in his pocket.

"Oh! My bad!" the boy piqued, scrambling to be the strap of the satchel off his shoulders. "Pardon me sir. Would you like the copy of the Daily Prophet?"

Flap of the bag still on, the boy had his hand stuck within the bag deep enough that his fingers was likely to be grazing the bottom

"I'm fine with just this one. Thank you." The man replied.

"Oh," the boy pulled his hand out again. "Alright, then."

He turned towards Tiana.

"Well, don't look at me. You already gave us our daily supply." She sighed before turning back to the man.

"Newspaper boy. Delivers newspaper to us. It stands to argue that owls aren't commonly found in this area." Tiana clarified, "We tried to have just a single owl deliver daily so they would assume it was a pet, but even that got some interested."

There was a small clink as the man managed to fish out a few bronze pieces. The boy seemed to be in a bit of a trance as he handed them, staring absently at the man, then coins before blinking back into focus and accepting.

"Sorry 'bout that, sir." He dropped the coins into pocket of his trousers, dropping heavily on what sounded like a stack of change on the otherwise flat-and-empty-looking pocket.

"There is nothing to apologize about, my boy."

His face flushed even further. "T-thank you, sir."

There was a bit of a pause. The cigarette reappeared and disappeared in Tiana's palm as she flicked her hand forward and back, as if she were throwing it away but it comes bounding back into her palm.

The boy fumbled with the strap of his satchel. "I, erm…"

"Ah," Tiana said quietly, "Here we go."

"Yes?" The man prompted encouragingly; a teacher talking to a shy student.

"I-I just wanted to ask you." He stuttered, then hastily added: "-sir."

The man nodded, the twinkle seemed to grow a bit brighter as his smile widened.

"Ar-Are you…" the boy started. "Albus Dumbledore?"

The man tucked the news sheet under his arm. "I believe so."

The kid had almost hopped up in excitement, bouncing on his toes.

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore?"

Tiana watched the cigarette vanish as she flicked it away.

"The one and only." She answered in a bored tone. "Honestly, I never understood long names. They're unnecessary; people don't ever use the entire bloody thing—not unless you made your mum mad enough. The only time people have to remember the whole thing is in official documents."

"I knew it!" he exclaimed, beaming triumphantly, before collected himself. "-sir."

Shuffling his feet, he carried on: "Pardon me. It's just that I have heard so much about you!"

"Good things, I hope." Albus strokes his beard.

"Good things, sir!" He nodded vigorously—Tiana wondered if he would make himself sick. "Great many good things. Extraordinary, even! Like no other man! Like, like, not even human anymore!"

"You flatter me with your compliments, my boy." Albus smiled at the child. "But I'm afraid you might be disappointed to know that I am just like any other man. Just one that has the privilege of being acknowledged and embellished."

"That's a lie." Tiana said more to no one in particular.

"But you aren't like any other man." He piped. "You are, erm."

"I am just like those men behind you. I am just like Tiana, here. I am just like you, my boy."

The child's ears flushed red. "Just like me? I can be like you?"

Dumbledore smiled a warm smile, as the boy looked up, wild-eyed at him. "You choose to be who you wish to be."

"Heart-warming." Tiana said to the invisible person she had been talking to. She took a step away from the wall, lime green cloth now hanging from one of her arms. "But I think it's already quite hot enough as it is out here— the sun hasn't even reached its peak yet. An event I'm not planning no staying around for."

"So if you excuse me, boys. I believe I have a patient that should be waking up from a sleeping potion right about now. Disoriented, that one. Thought the first few times she woke up she thought that she's been captured. I'd much rather calm her while she's still in bed and not halfway out the window."

Started to move down the pathway, stopping in front of Albus once. "If you ever plan on joining us anytime soon, I assume you know the way. Not pressuring you to go immediately—it's not like the girl can go anyhwere—but I do suggest that you get your business done while we aren't so busy."

Turning back to the direction of the street, she added "To clarify, now isn't too busy."

She resumed on the sidewalk before turning and vanishing into entrance of the red brick building.

"Well, I suppose I should get along with my business here." Albus said, watching the green door swing shut.

"Of course, sir." The child nodded, adjusting the strap on his shoulder.

Albus turned his head down at him. "How old are you, my boy?"

"Just turned eleven, sir." he responded.

"I suppose I'll be seeing you in school then?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, sir! I'm even selling muggle newspaper to help pay for the fees! That is, after the paying for some other stuff. But once I graduate, I don't have to sell newspapers anymore. I can go to Romania and work with magical creatures. Dragons too. Lots of dragons!"

A short chuckle erupted from the man. "I think I know a professor who would very much share your enthusiasm."

"I cannot wait to attend Hogwarts!"

"I'm sure Hogwarts would be happy to have you as well."

Bouncing on the balls of his feet he nodded once more. This time Albus worried for a brief second that he might end up taking the boy inside for treatment, with how violently he tipped his head.

"I have to go and sell more of these now." He peeked inside the bag which looked to be filled to the seams with newspaper. "It was very nice meeting you, sir!"

"And I to you."

The boy jogged down the street, reaching the corner he called out: "Have a great day!" before rounding and disappearing from sight.

Albus reached into the pocket of his bright blue suit, pulling what looked like a shining silver pocket watch, a matching chain connecting it to his pocket.

"Well, then. It's seems to be better to get going now."

Turning the direction Tiana went, he started to follow before stopping.

He had forgotten to ask the boy's name.

Despite being a professor for a few decades, the notion evaded him. Perhaps he was getting old, Albus thought, shaking his head.

A plaque that read 'Purge and Dowsy, Ltd.' in faded golden letters hung above the desolate entrance: a chipping green door with a window. Pushing the door open, a small chime of a bell was heard.

The inside of the building was significantly cooler that the outside, if not a tad humid. A steady collection of dust seemed to be hanging in the air. Albus sniffed as it tickled his nose a bit. Rows upon rows of rickety aisles and nearly colourless clothing filled the room. It held an impression of staleness, not one person in sight. The only humanoid-looking objects in the room were a few mannequins were set up in rows in the further wall, next to a line of changing cubicles.

Albus approached the mannequin nearest to the cubicles— it donned a particularly eye-catching lime green coat. A little too heavy for the weather, he mused. On top of its head was a crumpled old hat, unlike the rest of the store, it gave the impression that it had actually been used.

"I have business to attend to within the hospital." Albus said to the dummy.

The dummy, in turn, tilted its head down at him.

"Are you in need of immediate assistance?" said a voice that seemed to resonate from the mannequin; not from his mouth, not even from his head. Just a voice with no visible source.

"No." he clarified, "I am merely here to visit someone. A patient."

With a tip of the old, worn hat the dummy reached sideways, towards the thick green covers—matching the colour of its coat—of the changing cubicle. In one fluid pull that was not expected of a something that seemed to have not moved or been moved for months, the dummy pulled the curtain back. Bright white light streamed from the other side.

"Thank you."

Albus passed the dummy and went inside the cubicle, a rustle of curtains following his entrance.

Inside was what appeared to be a reception area. Rows of creaky wooden chairs lined around the room. On them sat men and women: one, Albus noticed, had a rather pretty collection of flowers growing on her arm that had taken a rather lush shade. One of the flowers fell as the woman flipped unto the next page of an outdated magazine. In the middle of the room, a desk was positioned, behind sat a tired-looking young woman. Her blonde hair was falling loose from the knot that was slowly coming undone behind her head.

She blinked slowly at the new arrival before her eyes lit up. Straightening her back and pushing the stray strands of hair away from her face, she stood up.

Albus approached her—passing a pair of young men whose naked arms were sticking together as if it they were stuck— and stopped before the desk.

"I am here to see a patient of the Janus Thickey Ward." He informs her. "I believe she is registered here under the name 'Ruby Rose'."

"Yes, yes." The woman breathed, shuffling around some papers on her desk, pulling out a small bright pink form. "Do you have the letter with you?"

"Of course. I have right here…" Albus reached into the pocket of his blue suit.

"Oh. Pardon, it seems that some items have tumbled on my way here." He stuck his hand a bit deeper within, until the top of the opening was at his elbow.

"Ah, there it is." He produced a light green envelope along with a little yellow item covered in clear wrapper. "With a little something more too— would you like a lemon sherbet?"

"No, I think I'm well." Replied the woman.

She took the envelope, opened the flap and retrieved the parchment. After giving it a quick scan, she set it down next to the small pink form, plucked a quill from the inkwell sitting behind the desk and scribbled at the form.

"Name please."

"Albus Dumbledore."

He hadn't realized all the small noises going on behind him until they all fell into hushed silence.

"I need your full name, sir." She said, without glancing up from the parchments.

"Oh pardon me. It is a bit long, most of the time I need not use it. Our dear Tiana had even—"

Somebody cleared their throat rather loudly. Albus looked up to see Tiana standing to the edge of the desk. She was clad in lime green robes now with a matching pointed hat. The image of a wand crossed with a bone was embroidered over her left chest.

"Ah, Tiana, I was just mentioning you." He beamed.

"Yes, I heard." Tiana said. "Do you make it a habit to go off on tangents every time you converse with someone or had I just had the luck to be their both times?"

"Well, I am quite fond of a nice chat."

"I'm sure you are." She agreed. "But I think Carol here is quite keen on getting some rest— it has been a lengthy night for all of us."

"No, no," the woman—Carol—waved her hand. "It's fine. I still have to stay about an hour to organize some papers. It's nice to have a little company. Well, company that isn't only interested on how to change their limbs back to their original state."

"Can't really blame them for that."

"Yes, but the conversation can get a bit dull after a few." Carol sighed. "Of course there some truly strange— borderline ludicrous ones out there. But lately most of them have just been— erm, you know."

"A stale day at the St. Mungo's. Tragic, somewhat, for us. Lucky for them." Tiana nodded to the line of people. Before her eyebrows furrowed at the woman with flowers popping out of her arm. "Merlin. Where is Jared?"

"He went out to get lunch." Carol tapped her chin. I believe his exact words were 'You're not in a rush, are you? Not really in a state of emergency; nothing lethal about having some flowers on your arm, right? Great! I'm a tad hungry. I'll go grab some bites to eat before those poppies start looking like wrapped candy.' Then he ran off."

Tiana groaned. "Bugger."

Carol shook her head. "Well, either way, here's your form."

She reached the pink parchment out to Albus, who raised a brow.

"I thought you needed my full name?"

"I think you would find it believable that a great many people know your full title. I just had to ask to follow the regular process of this."

"I see."

"Great. You finally have your form." Tiana pushed herself off the desk. "Come along now. Those two are looking for scissors. I feel like if I'm gone for too long, they may just manage to get a pair."

Tiana moved towards arch in one of the walls, through it was a staircase.

"Are you sure you do not want a lemon sherbet? They are quite good."

Carol shook her head. "I had been eating from the candy bowl the entire night before we had free time to eat."

"I see." He dropped it back into the pocket of his coat. "I hope you will be able to get some rest."

There was an unreadable expression on her face, but somehow Albus seemed to have an inkling of what it was. "I do hope so too."

Without another word, he turned and made his way to the arch, finding an unamused Tiana tapping her fingers impatiently on the railing.

Author's note (Not necessary to read but if you want to: go ahead!):

So, dazzle-dazzle electric blue suit, mister professor has some business to do with a patient named Ruby Rose. Just who is this Ruby Rose?(Though you probably already know). And just what is she doing in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries? Why is she confined within the James Thickey Ward? Will somebody finally accept a lemon sherbet (a.k.a lemon drop) from mister professor?

Find out in the next chapter of Inquiries on Immortality and other Subjects!

Chapter Two: Ruby Rose