The Whispers of the Waves Speak Sweet Melodies

[Amauri Zhefarovich]

The beach was one of the last places one would ever expect to find the shy guy named Amauri who used to be a model on the side and an Auror in France. But now, he was just walking on the dry sand wearing casual clothes on this day. The sun rose up high above, dancing upon the water. The waves were like music, and it soothed the troubled soul within. Amauri had a note in his pocket, and with a soft whistle, an owl flew to him. He strapped it to its leg and he murmured, "Go find her." The owl knew who he was talking about. He wanted to see her. The owl flew off. He knew that Nastasia could not apparate, but he was at a beach not far from her so perhaps she was close by? He could only wish. His bright blue eyes gazed over the beach, a glorious spring day ahead, just waiting to be spent. Amauri did not take his shoes off, but he did cast a spell to repel water from his shoes and his pants.

His eyes gazed down to the water as he approached the shores, the spell in full effect. He bent down and with his hand, he felt the water's temperature. He closed his eyes for a moment, just listening to the waves whispering smooth melodies into his ears and his mind was in tune; nothing else existed. Amauri was a calm fellow, and used to have some humor, some life within him, until the Death Eaters took his light away. But maybe he found a new hope, a new light, in Nastasia. He had lost his best friend in childhood when Alphonse was on his suspected list of being a Death Eater, but he had no proof. His other best friend Edward was no where to be seen at the time. Amauri still had no idea how he was knocked out when he and Edward had a date set to talk and such. He did not hear anything in the alley, and before he knew it, he woke up, without his jacket an hour later. Amauri tried to recall, but nothing came to mind. A blur of white, the whipping sound of cloth, and blackness. Amauri sighed softly. Perhaps that was another case yet to be solved. But he had the day off today, and he just wondered if Nastasia would come to see him, if she were willing to see him.

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

Nastasia Caliburn walked along the edge of the shore line clad in a purple bikini and sarong. The weather was cool but being an Italian she enjoyed the briefest bit of sunshine and heat and welcomed it as a star to the night sky. She had earlier packed a bag with a beach towel and a book and slipping her feet into her flipflops headed down to the beach close to where she now lived. Goia and Yema were now in charge of Vixen and Christian when he came home from the Drage/Bennett household and this was all at the instruction of Thorine. Goosebumps erupted across her flesh, she would never get over the sight of her dead cousin coming to greet her. The house had become so eerie since the return of the infamous Dolohov so it was with a grateful heart that Nastasia received her marching orders. She would of course miss the children terribly but it was much better this way and she was allowed to visit them providing she gave plenty of notice before hand.

She was now once again working as a seamstress and dabbling in tattoos or body art as she preferred to call it and for the first time since she had taken employment with her cousin, Nastasia felt a huge weight had been lifted from her. Her time was her own again and she loved it. Over the last several months her friendship with Amauri had strengthened and now she wasn't sure what she would ever do without him. She knew she was attracted to him but also knew that he did not see her in that way at all. This did not bother her however, though she knew that if ever he began showing an interest in any other woman she might show just how jealous she could be.

As she walked along the sea shore, her bare feet dipping on occasion in to the cool water she turned startled to see a familiar bird fly towards her. A note dropped from its beak to her and she smiled. Her head shot up immediately and leaving behind her bag with towel and book she began to run. She held the note in her hand and did not bother giving any return message to the owl, there was no need. He had arrived on the same beach as herself, she continued to run along the coastline until at last she spotted him in the distance. Her heart thumped loudly and her face glowed the moment she had laid eyes on him.

She knew she would probably look strange to him dressed the way she was but that didn't matter for now. All that mattered was her best friend was here. Waving her arm in the air she called to him as she continued to run, slowing down gradually until she was at last before him.
"Hi!" a smile from ear to ear beamed from her beautiful face especially for him.

 

[Amauri Zhefarovich]

Amauri was too much in tune with his thoughts to realize that someone was coming toward him. He did not hear the footsteps, but what he did hear was that cheerful “Hi!” that surprised him so much, he fell into the water, right on his knees. Luckily, that spell came in handy but not so much with his hands. They were soaked with water. With a deep breath, Amauri stood up to his full height and he turned around to see the beautiful Nastasia. She was someone who meant a lot to him, but he did not know whether or not to think that they could be an item in the future. He gave her a soft, gentle smile. It was the best he could give her right now.

His heart pumped loudly in his chest, and he thought that people over in France could hear it. Amauri murmured, “You came faster than I thought, you frightened me for a second there.” His French accent was still highly noticeable. It was lightly not to ever fade though. The Auror put his hands into his pockets and his blue eyes softened in their intensity and coldness that he normally wore. There was hardly any sorrow left in them, as he knew that his true love would have wanted him happy and if that involved someone else, then that is how it should be.

Amauri recently read her diary that she had hid, and that was exactly what she wanted. It was as if she were a Seer and predicted her own death. Amauri wondered if he found the right person here with him right now. “I have some news. My son is an Auror, in training,” there was a sense of pride that laced his voice, but Amauri was in no way rubbing this in. He had one son, and that was all he wanted for a while. He never wanted any more children after his wife was killed. He would only want children when he married again – if he married again. Amauri did not speak much anymore, but he wanted to hear her response.

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

She couldn't help but smile at his reaction to her speedy presence, if she had wings she would have flown to him or if she were any way magical she would have apparated but running to him seemed infinitely more romantic. Nastasia paused in her train of thought, when had she regarded him in a light more than that of her best friend? She had stopped a long time ago or so she thought of having any romantic notions regarding Amauri. He loved his wife still and after so long of being his friend now, she knew she would never be able to take her place in his heart. Having more or less resigned herself to the place of best friend and confidante in his world, Nastasia had been content with her lot but now as she looked at him, with the sun glistening in his hair, almost dazzling his eyes; Nastasia felt her heart flutter.

"I could go back and walk slowly to you if you prefer" she smiled at him falling into step along side of him, her feet making gentle indentations in the sand. When he told her of Vincent she couldn't help but feel delighted by the pride with how he spoke of his son.
"I am so happy for him. Will he mind working in the same department as yourself?" she didn't think he would somehow and for the first time in a long time she felt the pang that being childless brought to her.

 

[Amauri Zhefarovich]

Amauri chuckled a bit, as he slowly walked upon the sand, the water rustling at his feet, but never getting them wet due to the spell he had used. He was glad that she did not pounce on him playfully and drive him into the water. Sure, he liked swimming and all, but he would have preferred to stay dry at any cost. Nastasia Caliburn was his first friend when he moved here, someone that did not go to school with him and knew him from before. With his alluring (not that he knew about it of course) French accent, he responded, "I would much rather you stay here and not have to do it all over again." Amauri allowed a smile to creep along his lips, something that was rare enough for him to have since he had not been really happy since Cyrille's death. Who had killed her? He needed to know.

The only thing he remembered reading was it was a female Death Eater with blonde hair. She had delivered the blow. Amauri glanced at Nastasia, and the thoughts of killing that Death Eater melted. His heart beat even louder in his chest, something along the lines that had the same effect upon him as Cyrille. Was it possible to feel feelings about two people in a lifetime? "No, he is rather happy to see and watch his dad work and what takes me from being with him. He's grown up now, and I currently live alone." Amauri was really proud of his son, but now he sort of regretted now having another child. "What have you been doing?" inquired the Auror with a subtle smile.

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

She feigned a sigh of relief exaggerating it just a little as she smiled.
"Thank goodness for that then, I would have felt very foolish having to go away and come back again" she could not help the thought that came completely by surprise though, that she would happily come back to his side time and again without fail. Bending down she retrieved a shell from the waters edge, as she stood once more she held the conch to her ear. It was always a silly thing she had done as a child, listening for the sea through the shell when the very ocean had been there near her anyhow. As she listened Amauri spoke of Vincent with so much pride in his voice that it was hard to miss.

Nastasia seriously could not wait to meet him and hoped that someday she would get the opportunity. She wasn't sure how Amauri's son would feel about his father having a squib as a close friend but she hoped that like his father, he could rise above such prejudices that many in the wizarding world had regarding squibs. The fact that he lived alone was not lost on her, she lived alone now herself as well. A pokey flat near the railway tracks, it was noisy and shook alot but it was fine. The bad location merely meant it was cheaper and that helped as well.

"Did he dislike your job when he was a child, the fact that it would have taken you from him often?" she asked moving the conch shell from her ear and holding it like a precious stone in her hands as she regarded him. The less said about her own rather boring provincial life the better.

 

[Amauri Zhefarovich]

Amauri could not withstand the sweet and subtle smile that fell upon his lips as he pictured how silly Nastasia would be if she had walked back and then come forth one more. It was truly a silly thing to think about, and he was quite grateful she did not do the very thing, or else he might have died in laughter. That would be an interesting death for the Auror, to die in laughter. It was rare to even witness Amauri laugh, even chuckle. Though when he did get drunk every blue moon, he really could act a fool. Amauri was a funny drunk, and he remembered all the stupid things he had done when he was under the influence’s hand. He was quite embarrassed by the stories. He was sure that Edward Stanton had some stories on him, but then again, two could play at that game. At least, that is what Amauri liked to think.

Another thought slipped into his mind, and he wondered if Vincent would even like Nastasia. Amauri had raised his son in a prejudice-free household, and said everyone had their faults and their qualities. That applied to squibs as well, did it not? Amauri did not specify with what people were normal, but he basically said that everyone was human, and everyone was not perfect and would never be perfect. That had to apply to Nastasia. And if it did not, Amauri would see to it that Vincent would see like he did. Call it controlling, but Amauri called it fair. To be an Auror, you had to learn acceptance of everyone, because some people were unable to protect themselves. Amauri did not choose whom he protected, to him, everyone was the same. If Nastasia was hurt, or was being attacked, Amauri would happily defend her and beat the attacker to Mars and back.

His blue eyes went to Nastasia and his eyebrow raised curiously as to what she was doing. He had never heard of putting a shell to your ear and seeing what you hear. Amauri answered the question softly, “No, he thought of me as a hero. It was flattering, but as an Auror, you almost do the same thing as criminals do, and that is tear families apart. Every time I put someone in Azkaban, I feel guilty wondering if they had children of anything now.” Amauri shrugged lightly. He used to be so heartless at it, but now, things had changed. He sighed, “I just think some of them deserve it. But I don’t know, Nastasia. Things have changed now.” Really, did some of those people deserve to have their lives ended by Azkaban? What if they were raised in a loving household, would that have changed their outcome in life? Amauri wondered this as his eyes averted and went to the sand.

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

Nastasia smiled at the thought of Vincent thinking his father a hero, she glanced at him and knew that in the time they had known one another; with the friendship that they had built she thought the same thing. It wasn't that he had done anything wonderful and heroic to her or for her but daily she read excerpts from the newspapers all detailing the latest bout of disaster that the auror department had managed to divert. She walked along beside him glad that he was alive because the more she read, the more frightened she became for him daily.

She heard then the sadness, the bleakness in his voice as he spoke about the families he was tearing apart and she wished she could help him somehow. Wished she could ease his worries but she was only a squib, what did her opinions matter in the magical world but as he continued to berate himself for the hard choices he had to make in his job, Nastasia laid a comforting hand on his arm.
"Amauri, they chose this was of life. Just as you chose to be the good guy, they chose the other path. Sometimes it looks easier and more appealing, the perks far out weight the consequences because lets face it, all criminals think they will get away with it while the path of the righteous is paved with a strong conscience and the will to sort the world for the greater good. You are making the world a better place Amauri, that is all."

 

[Amauri Zhefarovich]

Amauri bit his lip and he wondered about breaking up Death Eaters’ families. Nastasia was a great friend of his, and he often worried over her daily. Even though his own job was dangerous and it could end up in his own demise, which happened from time to time. Amauri knew of the dangers in his job, and he was not afraid of the dangers, but he was frightened for his son for entering into the Aurors. He gave a weary smile to Nastasia as she spoke the words of truth. Even so, was it good or right to still tear apart babies from their fathers or on some occasions, mothers? Or even both?

He turned his head to the hand that was on his arm. It was comforting, and he grinned at her. That was when he realized it, he liked her more than a friend. She had managed to warm his icy exterior and get into his empty interior of a heart. He liked a squib, and that meant nothing to him because he adored her personality. Amauri stopped walking, and he caressed her cheek with the side of his hand. “Nastasia, you are a great friend. I would love to take you out to dinner, if that is all right with you.”

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

Her heart pummeled loudly in her chest, as he gently touched the side of her face. Life was being good to her, kind to her from the very moment Amauri had entered it. She smiled up at him as he asked her to dinner wishing somehow it was not just the plans of two friends being made but something more personal. His fingers sent delicious tingles throughout her slight frame and she found she could not speak. Her eyes looked into his and instantly she felt the world slipping away, fading into the background as if it did not matter in that moment. All she could concentrate on was the gentle feel of his fingers against her skin. Tilting her head instinctively, pressing her cheek into his palm she finally found her voice.

"That's fine with me" she smiled recovering herself and lifting her cheek from the gentle pressure of his hand, he had said friend and she would as always accept this, " a girl's got to eat."