"Thank you very much," he said. "I'll take this one of course."
"I knew we'd find something for you," Madam Jovanovic said. "Would you like to come up with me for a cup of coffee? I have some of my cheese cake as well." She laughed slightly. Frank remembered very well why. During their last visit, the three of them had ignored all rules of "constant vigilance" and eaten plenty of her cake. They had been lucky, Madam Jovanovic really hadn't meant to poison them and Frank was quite certain that she didn't want to do it now either. He also hoped that she might have more information about the ongoings in the wizarding world. He had hardly found out anything after fleeing from Saint Mungo's.
"I can't deny that now, can I?"
The wandmaker's flat hadn't changed much since Frank's last visit, her family life obviously hadn't either, she still seemed to be living alone. In honour of Moody, Frank did accompany her to the kitchen so he could see what she was doing with the cake. He hoped she didn't know why.
When both of them had settled down with coffee and cake, Madam Jovanovic said: "I'd like to tell you how your new wand came to be. It's a rather unusual story actually. I've recently been to the school for the Muggle-born program and when I left, I saw a magnificent phoenix sitting on the apple tree on the school grounds."
Frank took a mental note to ask about the "Muggle-born program", he had never heard of anything like that before. He desperately hoped it didn't mean that Muggle-borns were being hunted here as well. It was politer to let her finish first though. Her cake was as delicious as it had been during their first visit.
"I paused to watch him, wild phoenixes are really rare. The phoenix began to sing, a song so beautiful and yet so sad. I'm not a very sentimental woman but this song made me cry. When he had finished his song, the phoenix flew over me and dropped a single feather into my lap. I was astonished; normally getting a phoenix feather for use in a wand takes plenty of discussing and pleading even from tame phoenixes. I took it of course and thanked him. He flew away and I decided to use wood of the very apple tree from our school garden because he had met me there. That's how you're wand was made."
"Thank you for telling me," Frank said quietly. He didn't know it for sure but he had this feeling that the phoenix in question might have been Fawkes, Dumbledore's bird, the one the Order had been named after. There were many aspects of magic even the best wizards didn't understand, Dumbledore had come further than most in exploring them. After everything that had happened, Frank had been chosen like this and he would do what he could to prove himself worthy this time.
"May I ask you something?"
"Yes, certainly. Whatever you like. I can't promise answers to everything though.
"What did you mean when you were talking about a Muggle-born program?"
"Well, you might have heard about the Muggle wars that have happened here. The land's been divided, all the peoples wanted their own country and many terrible crimes have been committed. While everyone's had their own Ministry of Magic already, the only magical school is here in Serbia. There aren't enough witches and wizards to have schools in every country. You can imagine how difficult this has been for the Muggle-borns I'm sure. Many of them have seen terrible things; a few of them are children of rape. All of a sudden, they had to share classes with the children of people they considered deadly enemies. We knew that we had to help them, that's why the Muggle-born program was created. The Muggle-borns are taken in a year before school starts and get to know each other and the magical community. This way they learn that the situation is different here and that they don't have anything to fear from each other. Every Muggle-born child gets a witch or wizard to mentor them and help them. It is still very hard for many of them but it's slowly improving. It will take long until those wounds can heal though if ever."
Frank felt ashamed for his initial thoughts. He was deeply impressed by this. While the magical "community" in his own country did everything to exclude Muggle-borns, the people here went so such length to make them feel welcome and help them become a part of magical society. At least it showed him one thing, there was still good in the world and he was certain that decent people hadn't died out in magical Britain either.
"That's really admirable," he said. "Especially considering the way Muggle-borns are being treated in so many other places."
"We have our fair share of idiots too," Madam Jovanovic said pushing a strand of brown hair out of her face. "Some people believe that the wars have proven that Muggles are vicious beasts and that we can't admit their children. Usually, a detailed account of the British wizarding war is rather helpful in shutting them up though. Sorry to be so blunt but it's true."
"I can't deny it is," Frank said. His eyes fell upon something which looked like a news paper cutting. To his surprise, it was in English.
"Do they sell the Daily Prophet here?" he asked, curious about news from his home even if they were filtered by Death Eater propaganda. The British wizarding community tended to act as if there were no other countries but he had already learned during his earlier journeys that this wasn't true for the rest of Europe.
"No, the Ministry has banned it after the takeover by the current government," Madam Jovanovic explained. "They say it's full of propaganda by a criminal regime and I don't doubt they're right. We do have international newspapers here though."
She picked up the newspaper article Frank had been looking at. "This is from the Tel Aviv Magical News. Anthony Goldstein's touring Europe. Have a look, this might interest you."
According to the article, Anthony Goldstein was a man about the age Neville would have been who had been living in Great Britain in the past. His family had immigrated to Israel after Voldemort's came to power. Mr Goldstein claimed to have first-hand knowledge about Voldemort's second raise to power and had written a book called "Dumbledore's Army and the Truth about Lord Voldemort." He was travelling all through Europe now to present his book.
"Could I have this? I might attend one of those meetings when my business here is finished," Frank said.
"Yes. His stay in Zagreb is over anyway. I considered going there but was too busy with my mentee student. She got in a bit of trouble you see and I know enough about this matter anyway."
Frank thanked her and put the article into his bag.
"Going there's a bit dangerous but I'm sure you don't mind," Madam Jovanovic said. "Presenting his book is only a pretext for Goldstein you see. In fact, he's trying to warn people of You-Know-Who and his attempts to destabilize and influence other European countries. It's open knowledge that he tries to extend his power."
"Very important work he's doing there," Frank said. This new bit of information only strengthened his determination to meet Anthony Goldstein if possible.
"Yes. The Israeli Ministry is the most vocal about taking measures against the Death Eater government. They keep demanding sanctions at the International Confederation of Wizards because of "systematic human rights violations", "encouragement of abusive magic use on Muggles" and "preparations for a war of aggression" but so far, they couldn't decide on anything."
This wasn't very surprising to Frank. Dumbledore had always complained about inefficiency of the International Confederation of Wizards. They hadn't been able to pass an international degree to capture Death Eaters outside of Britain more easily either.
"This might change now though," Madam Jovanovic said. "The Russians are considering their neutral stance since Death Eaters attempted to assassinate Durmstrang Headmistress Achatowa. The relations between Germany and the Death Eaters have worsened considerably after this too. Quite a few of their children attend Durmstrang and Headmistress Achatowa is highly respected. The Death Eaters claim that German dark wizards attempted to stage an attack in Britain. The German Ministry doesn't believe a word of it and they threatened consequences if Bellatrix Lestrange didn't hand the German prisoners over unharmed. She did it, probably realised that refusing would bring them more trouble than it was worth."
Frank tried to order the new information in his head. He wasn't sure how he felt about other countries interfering with the British magical community. It would probably be better than no threats to Voldemort at all but he'd still prefer if they solved the problem themselves. Bellatrix was in charge of something like the Death Eater Department of Magical Law-Enforcement now; it was outrageous but still not too surprising. Frank was more surprised by the fact that she had obviously put diplomatic considerations above a desire for revenge or whatever had made her capture those Germans.
"Do you know if there's any form of resistance in the UK? I've been living in the Muggle world even since I've been out of hospital, that's why I have really no idea."
Madam Jovanovic put a strand of hair behind her ear again."I'm sorry but I didn't hear anything. The British seem to have accepted it. The Death Eaters seem to apply a clever mixture of threats and benefits. The nastier stuff is happening behind closed doors now and the common people are lulled into a feeling of security as long as they keep quiet. They're not killing and torturing openly anymore, if someone causes trouble, he or she simply vanishes. No one knows what's happening to them. They don't seem to have any public laws, decisions are made at the Dark Lord's and the Death Eaters' whim. I hate to admit it, but even most people abroad don't like to hear the truth. A man called Lee Jordan was the last one who managed to escape their prison system and he was talking about atrocious crimes. He's living in exile in Germany now like many others, they're taking people in quite liberally but don't really encourage them to speak up. Now that the winds are changing this might become different though."
Frank took a deep breath. He hated the idea that his people were so down-trodden now. The vast majority of them had hated Voldemort even if they hadn't had the courage to join the Order. He hoped that there was a resistance after all; a resistance which wasn't known to foreign media because then it would be known to Voldemort and his Death Eaters as well. He needed to reach them somehow but he didn't know how he was supposed to do that.
"I can't deny that I'm scared of the future," Madam Jovanovic said. "If I'm reading the signs rightly, something really bad is brewing. I know what war has done to the Muggles here and I'm afraid to think of the things it might do to us if there was really a wizarding war all over Europe. That's why I understand why so many governments prefer to keep quiet though it's not right of course. I do think we should do something but an international war which kills countless people can't be the answer. It's been bad enough during the Grindelwald years when wizards and Muggles lost their minds at the same time."
"I agree," Frank said. "The fewer innocent people are dragged into this the better. Do you really think that You-Know-Who will stand a chance against Europe? There are far more witches and wizards here, at least if he doesn't have any countries allied with him. He doesn't, does he?"
"Not entire countries, no," Madam Jovanovic said. "The Ministries are either neutral or oppose him. He has started to create Death Eater groups all over Europe though and every country has people who are drawn to power, dark magic and the idea that they're better than others. I'm sure he's been successful in many places. We can't tell how strong they would be and how easily they could help in the destruction of their home countries."
"In this land as well?" Frank wanted to know.
"The Croatians caught a group of five Death Eaters led by one Englishman. They attempted to attack Anthony Goldstein's speech. They've tightened security now or so I've heard. If they're in Croatia, it's reasonable to assume that they're here as well though there's been no evidence sure enough to be given to the public so far."
Frank nodded. "I'm glad I've got a wand now." He really didn't fancy facing Death Eaters without one.
"So the Death Eaters don't know you've survived," Madam Jovanovic asked.
"I don't think so," Frank said. "Either that or they thought I'd gone abroad long ago. Well, now I'm here and I have a job to do. I hope no one other than you has recognised me."
As nice as talking to Madam Jovanovic was, he needed to get going before the Death Eaters found out about his presence.
"If your job involves a trip to Albania be warned," Madam Jovanovic said. "It's extremely difficult and dangerous to get there the Muggle way and the wizards are watching their borders for anyone who wants to get in the magical way."
Frank was startled. "What makes you think I might want to go there?"
Madam Jovanovic simply smiled. "Well, you've gone there last time so I think it's reasonable to assume you might wish to go there again."
Frank remained silent. He didn't really wish to share his plans with her but she was probably right. He wouldn't be able to get to Albania on his own without attracting trouble, even attempting to destroy the Horcrux alone if he ever found it wasn't a very reasonable plan. Last time, he had remained silent and the consequences had been disastrous. This time, he'd have to inform other people or he'd fail and failure wasn't an option. The fate of wizarding Britain might depend on the destruction of the Horcrux.
"I wouldn't have asked for no reason," Madam Jovanovic said. "As enjoyable as your company is, you might have already guessed that I didn't make this cake for you. Yesterday, I've had two other visitors. One of them a good friend of mine, Nada Zoric, Ministry dark arts expert, the other an Auror from, you might have guessed it, Albania."
This was interesting news indeed. "Is he trustworthy?"
"Nada's sure he is and I trust her," Madam Jovanovic said. "He's had a big part in the weeding out of dark organisations in Albania and he's known for his strong morals. I'm certain that he has no love for the Death Eaters. He could easily get people to look for whatever or whoever it is you're looking for. People who've not been ill and wandless for years. You're extremely brave and knowledgeable but that doesn't mean you don't have to bring your magic into shape again before you delve into battle."
Frank hated to admit it but he knew she was right. The last time he had used his magic had been when he had faked his documents. It had worked which meant that there was no severe damage but it had taken extremely long. If he was the same in battle, he'd stand no chance against a powerful dark wizard or against any dark spell upon the Horcrux.
"Do you think you could arrange a meeting between me and those people?"
"Certainly. That's what I was going to suggest.
"Alright," Frank said. "Let's try it this way. And thank you very much for helping me again. You've already done so much for us last time. We'd never have been able to save our colleagues if you hadn't told us about the Red Lethifold."
"I'm a wandmaker and not a warrioress but that doesn't mean that I'm not doing my best to assist those who fight for our safety," Madam Jovanovic said. "And I'm sure you need every bit of help you can get if you really attempt to take on that dark regime on your own."