Chapter 61: The Borgin and Burkes Shop

Where there is light, there is always darkness, and this truth echoes through both the Muggle world and the wizarding world alike.

In the world of magic, the Ministry of Magic stands proudly as the guardian of law and order, forbidding the practice of Dark Arts and the trade of sinister magical objects.

Yet even in a world governed by rules, temptation and necessity often blur the lines of morality.

Knockturn Alley exists as proof of that contradiction.

It is a shadowed reflection of Diagon Alley, its infamous twin, separated by nothing more than a wall yet divided by an entire moral spectrum.

Here, whispers of curses and forbidden spells fill the air, and danger hides behind every crooked sign.

Shops display cursed trinkets, strange potions, and grotesque remains that seem to watch from dusty jars.

In a narrow corner shrouded in mist, a faint crack announced the arrival of a wizard.

Erwin stepped out of the gloom, his black robe settling around him.

He adjusted his collar with calm precision and began walking toward the main street.

The alley was lined with decaying buildings whose roofs sagged under years of neglect.

Foul-smelling refuse collected in the gutters, and the occasional rat scurried between piles of broken crates.

A few shopkeepers lounged near their doorways, their eyes following Erwin briefly before losing interest. Wizards like him came and went all the time, cloaked in secrecy and purpose. Nothing about him seemed out of the ordinary.

But when Erwin reached the narrow doorway marked Borgin and Burkes and quietly stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The idle glances became sharp, and the faint murmur of conversation faded.

In Knockturn Alley, such a visit never went unnoticed.

****

As soon as Erwin stepped into the dimly lit shop, a faint creak echoed through the dusty floorboards.

Behind the counter stood an old man whose slicked-back, greasy hair glistened faintly in the lamplight.

His expression was courteous, his voice smooth but practiced.

“Distinguished guest, welcome to Borgin and Burkes Magic Shop. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Erwin did not answer right away.

His dark eyes swept across the shelves, studying the sinister array of goods displayed in neat disorder.

The shop was filled with an unsettling aura.

Among the dusty relics and shadowed corners lay items that whispered of forbidden practices: poisoned candles that gave off a faint green vapor, jars containing twitching black spiders, and boxes labeled: dead men’s fingernails.

Finally, Erwin spoke, his voice no longer the calm tenor of his true self but a rasping, deep tone, heavy with concealed magic.

“If you can clear away the Swooning Solution in the air, we might have a proper conversation.”

For a brief moment, Borgin’s oily smile faltered.

His narrowed eyes glinted with recognition.

He was dealing with someone who knew exactly what was going on.

Without sudden movements, he took a measured step back, lifted his wand slightly, and with a silent gesture, dispelled the faint, sweet scent that hung in the air.

“You jest, guest,” he said, his smile returning, though a little more cautious now. “It’s just a harmless precaution, I assure you. One cannot be too careful in my line of work. Now then, are you here to buy or to sell?”

Erwin raised his hand.

With a smooth flick, several objects materialized on the counter in a flash of pale blue light: necklaces, rings, and small brooches, all finely made and faintly pulsing with protective enchantments.

Borgin leaned closer, his sharp eyes scanning each piece.

He refrained from touching them immediately, instead pulling a small crystal lens from his pocket to inspect the runes etched along their surfaces.

Only after confirming that they bore no hidden curses did he lift one gingerly between his fingers.

“Impressive craftsmanship,” he murmured, clearly intrigued. “And what enchantments do these pieces hold?”

“Each is inscribed with an Iron Armor Charm,” Erwin replied evenly. “They can withstand two Auror-grade attacks before needing twenty-four hours to recharge. After ten total activations, the enchantment fades permanently.”

Borgin’s eyebrows rose.

His interest was no longer feigned.

Artifacts like these were worth a fortune in Knockturn Alley, where the line between life and death was often decided in seconds.

Every Dark wizard knew the value of a charm that could grant them one more breath in a duel.

Erwin, of course, did not need to sell them here. He could have gone elsewhere.

But Borgin and Burkes offered discretion, no paperwork, no Ministry tracking, and plenty of gold in hand.

More importantly, establishing good terms with Borgin could open certain doors in Knockturn Alley, doors that led to things no legitimate merchant would ever sell.

“So,” Borgin said finally, his tone measured but eager, “at what price are you planning to sell these fine items?”

"Two hundred Galleons each," Erwin stated his price.

"Although the price is not unreasonable, your artifacts do have a limit on the number of times they can be used."

"But that's precisely why those idiots will keep buying them, isn't it?" Erwin interrupted Borgin's attempt at bargaining.

Borgin fell silent.

Yes, if someone could use this item repeatedly, then there would be no repeat customers.

Thinking of this, he nodded immediately.

"You are quite right, sir. I will take as many as you have."

Erwin took out a bag with an [Undetectable Extension Charm] and withdrew a handful of magical trinkets from it.

Counting the ones already on the counter, there were fifty in total.

"There are only fifty of them. These things aren't easy to make."

It wasn't that Erwin couldn't produce more, but scarcity increased value.

He certainly couldn't say he had made all of this in one morning.

Then they wouldn't be worth the price.

Borgin nodded in agreement.

Although there was a limit on the number of uses, these magical items could withstand Auror-level attacks.

They were considered high-end merchandise in the entire magical world.

"Fifty in total, ten thousand Galleons altogether. Do you need cash, or the equivalent in goods?"