Parker sat outside at one of the many tables that lined the streets of Diagon Alley, around where many of the most popular dining and drinking establishments were. Chewing on the end of a pen, he was hunched over a small notebook with messy writing covering almost every space on the pages. Many parts were darkly crossed out, others circled, some with arrows pointing to diagrams and tables squeezes elsewhere on the page. His other hand was occupied holding a paper cup full of strong tea from Rosa Lee's, where he frequented even though he worked at the tea shop in Avalon. One would think he'd get sick of it, the tea that is, but there always seemed to be new flavors and aromas for him to try.

It was odd, but for whatever reason working at the tea shop again brought back inspiration for experimental potions. To go over ideas he'd had ruminating in the back of his mind for months. He'd taken some classes here and there involving the subject matter, but never more. He knew he didn't have it in him to attempts a secondary major, especially as a third year, but he was fine with that so long as it could continue being a hobby or side project for him.

More and more Parker was feeling conflicted over his future and where his education would lead him. To Saint Mungo's or any of the other large hospitals in Europe, sure, especially with his education at Merlin's. But what within that? Upon entering Merlin's, he had the hope to be an on-field medic for professional quidditch. As a shite flyer though, there was no way in hell that was ever going to happen. But imagining himself working the floor at regular hospital, in the ER or whatever else, made him frustrated beyond belief. He didn't want to get stuck in that rut. He wanted something more, something different... something that could maybe even change that way healing was practiced as a whole. It was strange to be feeling so idealistic and reaching so far beyond what was realistic. It wasn't something typical of him. But what was typical for him these past several months? He didn't quite feel like himself lately. Or was it that with growing acknowledgement of his empathic abilities, he was starting to feel like his true self?

Within those thoughts, there he sat, scribbling away and flipping back and forth between pages with a solid and serious look plastered across his face.

Melody moved inbetween the streets of Diagon Alley, hot chocolate in one hand and a bag in the other. She would have expected the streets to be fuller with the hustle and bustle she could see going on through the windows of the many drinking and eating establishments. She had just come out one herself after doing some shopping.

Usually she got all her planned shopping done in one go but hadn't gotten much this time. She remembered how over stuffed her hands had been that one Christmas and wondered if she should crease doing that. At least she had never seen the man who mind controlled her again. She hadn't really seen anyone outside of class in a while now that she thought about it. In her Hogwarts day she had always had the children of her mother's friends to occasionally tag along with. Failing that, there were her brothers, she hadn't started feeling lonely until the twins were gone.

They might appreciate what I found at the shops, Melody thought smiling.

She kept walking until she got to the table that Parker was sitting at. She hadn't expected to see him.