Knockturn Alley

KNOCKTURN ALLEY

Tucked behind the precarious garbage dump of Potage’s Cauldron Shop in Diagon Alley, a winding, dark pathway lies in waiting. Following the pathway is just the start of your undoing. After what seemed to be an eternity of walking along the gradually narrowing hallway, you’ll duck under the low archway; Instantly, an old, rancid smell. No one is sure where it comes from, but it immediately distorts the lively and vibrant atmosphere of Diagon Alley to something more sinister. There is just something about the bite of cold in the air, the cracked dirty pavements, and how the lights flickering above as though the night never leaves this damned place. Rats squeak and scamper upon the sound of footsteps, its population stubbornly plaguing the place despite being thoroughly hunted since their invasion in the early 1990, their blinking red eyes in the dark haunting reminders of the disastrous plague outbreak in Knockturn Alley.

Shuffling feet and downturned gazes is the trademark of Knockturn’s visitors. People of all social classes could be found on this side of Wizarding London. From ruthless mercenaries seeking their next settlement to desperate fools looking for a less-than-legal solution to their woes, there is no telling who you’ll bump into here.

Records of a wizarding black market in London, England date back to as early as the Victorian Era. The oldest accounts of Knockturn Alley spoke of the collusion and congregation between infamous, long-standing establishments, describing the harrowing efforts of businesses such as Borgin & Burkes and a handful of Knockturn Alley’s oldest names in staking their claim and raising this market from the neglected, ramshackle back alleys of Diagon Alley.

Various shops can be found in this gloomy side of town. The most reputed, known even beyond the crowd of rats continuously flooding the streets, would be the infamous Borgin and Burkes, and its neighbours Andrew Walk and Sisyphe. Anything your heart desires most can be found in Knockturn Alley — a swift and painless ‘solution’ for those who dare to annoy you ; original decor made of bones, shrunken heads and other delicacies ; services such as lock replacement, chimney sweep, tattoos, beard trimming… Those in need of a good beverage and terrible biscuits can find company at the White Wyvern.

Now, there is no witch or wizard in the United Kingdom who has yet to hear of the notoriety and infamy of Knockturn Alley. It has become almost an assembly site for the shunned and scorned of Wizarding society, a place to trample red tape underfoot and take ownership of your deepest, darkest desires. Sanctuary to its kind, abyss for its prey.

HISTORY

Knockturn Alley was originally nothing more than a couple of people sat on the dirty streets of London, whispering and scattering when the sirens of the police were starting to be audible. It started as a black market in the dark alleys of London, around the Victorian era in Britain, a period marked with incurable diseases such as scarlet fever, tuberculosis, typhus and typhoid and poverty, as well as famines. While the Wizarding World was in general untouched by muggle diseases, dragon pox was still running the streets, and many were not rich enough to buy the cure for themselves or their families, hence looking for cheaper, or more radical solutions on the streets of the black market. Rumors were that should someone with dragonpox ingest certain illegal ingredients, they would be cured. Though untrue, these rumors contributed to the growth of the black market.

Additionally, Victorians were highly into ghosts and supernatural stories, pushing superstitious citizens to seek paranormal protection in black markets. Around the same time, rich houses began selling ancient and cursed family items, and the writers of the time battled to be the first to invent a story about this family’s haunted painting, or the blood cursed necklace of this famous wizard.

In the 1850s, the black market grew more and more prominent, until the sellers began a collusion unit of shops and forcefully occupied the back streets of Diagon Alley, in order to reap more profit by non-competitive actions such as price setting, and work together to secure their positions. In 1863 Borgin and Burkes were the first to open their doors to the public, and others followed in their wake.

By the early 1900s, Knockturn Alley counted many shops, and was now officially recognised as a part of the Diagon Alley.

SHOPS

I. BORGIN AND BURKES

At 13B, Knockturn Alley is found a peculiar shop, tucked in-between decaying buildings, the dust and dirt accumulated over the years almost casting an invisible cloak over the boutique. Round windows display odd items - a dried hand bent at impossible angles, a mask resting behind a glass cage, various jewels and other ancient items scattered across the display. Borgin and Burke's was indeed an antique shop, known to deal with unusual and ancient magical artefacts. Its shady reputation precedes it, inherited from its sinister frequentation, or from the greedy and devious nature of its previous owners, Mr. Borgin and Mr. Burke. The identity of the current owner is unknown, though many believe the business was passed on amongst family. Noteworthy sales from this shop include the Opal Necklace used to curse Katie Bell in 1996, which had killed 19 muggles prior to that year.

The interior of Borgin and Burkes mirrors the nature of its wares. Upon entering the shop, one would be faced with a rather large, dusty room, lit only by the roaring flames of the large stone fireplace located on the left. Hangman's ropes sway ominously from the ceiling beams, as if waiting to swoop down on unsuspecting prey, and its sprawling willow-wood shelves are stuffed full of its unusual merchandise. Everywhere, items weighted on the wooden planks, cabinets and shelves, all more rare and dangerous than the last.

Established in 1863 by Caractus Burke and Mr. Borgin, the boutique was advertised as offering "confidential valuation service for unusual and ancient wizarding artefacts, such as may have been inherited by the best wizarding families". The shop has always had a sinister reputation, but its involvement with Voldemort and his followers did little to improve it. Tom Riddle was indeed one of their employees from 1945 to the beginning of the 1960s, before abruptly abandoning his post after the murder of Hephzibah Smith. The Ministry has always kept a disapproving eye on its activities, but due to its vast network of connections, any attempts at closing it were unsuccessful. In the 2010s, Borgin and Burke was known to host illegal underground auctions and sold off rare, valuable and usually illegal magical goods to the highest bidders.

Nowadays, Borgin and Burke sell various items such as the Mirror of Shame, the Foe Glass, and others. From cursed masks to inconspicuous leafy spyware, customers will be spoilt for choice

II. ANDREW WALK

The air gained an uncanny atmosphere near Andrew Walk's shop, the passing folk accelerating when reaching the end of the street, quickly departing while avoiding to glance at the dilapidated facade of this uncanny shop. Chipped paint, as though someone scratched the storefront, the displaying window was the picture of a nightmare - hundred, thousands of immobile dolls, their plastic eyes aimed right at your own, staring. Upon remaining stuck too long in place, one would almost be under the impression that the arm was bent at a different angle a few seconds ago, or that this one was not quite placed the same way. Your imagination? Or something more sinister?

If one would gather their courage and push the front door, a delightful bell would echo throughout the shop, swiftly followed by a juvenile laughter. Inside, a true playground. Dollhouses everywhere, dolls tucked into small beds, sat into tiny chairs, gathered around miniature tables, reenacting a tea party, or gently balancing on a swing. From teddy bears swinging on creaking miniature swing sets to life-sized dolls riding squeaky rocking horses, customers get to personally witness the merchandise in action. Watch out for the cabinets– The glass doors have a tendency to swing open at guests, unleashing a wave of decapitated doll heads at their feet.

The owner, a strange man whose age was impossible to pin down, would not be found behind the counter. In his stead, the tallest doll of the shop, sat in a high chair, before a pot filled with golden, silver and bronze coins. Indeed, if one were to look for that mysterious shop owner, they would find him in a hospital known as St Mungo, sitting in bed due to an unknown illness. The rarely sighted employees of the shop would travel back and forth between the hospital and the shop, delivering his newest creations to the boutique.

However, a warning would be well to be heard by thieves - Andrew Walk's shop is indeed specialised in curses and maledictions, and the dolls might be more alive than you might believe so. A large sign hung above the counter would read "Sleep with both eyes open, Dolly is watching! From misfortune harbinger statues to skin crawling fuzzy companions, Andrew walk is the place for all of your handmade voodoo and creepy doll crafts."

III. SISYPHE

With a name alluding to the daunting Greek tale of Sisyphus, Sisyphe is undoubtedly the undying survivor amongst its competitors.

Rumor has it this undying boutique was once ‘Mr Mulpepper’s Apothecary’, a branch of the renowned potion ingredient shop in Diagon Alley established in Knockturn Alley for, one would suspect, the sale of more illicit products. The shop would have rebranded itself after countless crackdowns by the Ministry of Magic on their business operations, it is now often referred to as the cockroach of Knockturn Alley, known for evading the Ministry of Magic’s grasp for decades and many more to come.

Once in a blue moon, hisses in the alleys would signal the return of Sisyphe and draw you through its doors. Haunting liquid preserves in glass jars and pungent dried preserves crowded upon towering shelves. There is little you cannot find in Sisyphe’s extensive list of merchandise. From stomach-churning potion ingredients like Dog Tongue to illicit substances such as Fairy Wings, it is here where customers source the most unusual and wicked potion ingredients known to wizardkind. Word roams in the streets of Knockturn Alley that Unicorn blood would be available in this crooked shop, though if questioned tongues would find themselves mysteriously tied, and the owner, a large and gruff man, would chase you out of his shop while vehemently denying such accusations.

Still, if one’s eyes were to wander off the shelves crumbling under the weight of various products, they might catch a glimpse of a large glass containing a thick silver liquid.

IV. OTHER SHOPS

MARKUS SCARR’S INDELIBLE TATTOOS
Anything can be art; Sculptures, paintings, pottery… even the skin of your back. At Markus Scarf's Indelible Tattoos, customers themselves are the canvas for any tattoos of their desire. From dancing magical tattoos of fantastical creatures to the hottest new muggle tattoo series, the possibilities are infinite at the right price. Located directly next to the infamous White Wyvern pub, this tattoo parlour has been rumoured to be the witness of generations of inked criminal inaugurations. Ink and the distinct stench of alcohol linger in the stale air of the parlour. Patrons of the neighbouring pub, beware: You wouldn't want to wake up a tapestry, would you?

ELM AND WIZARDS UNDERTAKERS AND EMBALMERS
“Emergency broom-maintenance services available! Attendants on standby 24/7!” The cedar wood plaque outside the shop swings innocently at the entrance. A mere broom-maintenance service. At least, that's what they want you to think. Behind the stacks of dusty brooms piled at the entrance, customers who dig past the pile would find the true business at Elm And Wizards: a mortuary. One peek past the overly friendly witch at the counter would reveal a trapdoor with a frozen handle. As for what rested behind that door, well, only staff and whatever was inside – or rather, whoever– would know.

PODRIC BARTWORTHY THE XXIII’S BEARD TRIMMING SHOP
Not sure what you would expect here other than exactly what is advertised: Podric Bartworthy the XXIII’s Beard Trimming Shop is, indeed, a grooming salon for bearded gentlemen and gentlewomen. Inherited from his father Podric Bartworthy the XXII, who himself inherited the shop from his father Podric Bartworthy the XXI, the business had remained in the family for… well, twenty-three generations. Word has it the service is cheap enough to make a grown man scream, though rumors down the alley whisper of occasional ‘accidents’ – whatever those may mean. Some unfortunate passerbys have spotted bloodied customers flee the shop, face still half-covered in shaving cream and one hand slapped over where their ears were a few minutes prior. Not much cause for alarm, though! Come and be pampered by our licensed professionals, offer yourself a self-care day at Podric Bartworthy the XXIII’s Beard Trimming Shop!

THE COFFIN HOUSE
True to its name, the shape of The Coffin House’s exterior resembles a sort of crooked sepulture from a birdseye view. Located at the heart of Knockturn Alley in the square, knowledge of this mysterious shop is known to little, and even fewer dared to step foot inside. A gust of wind causes its mahogany-steel structure to make a bone-chilling creak that echoes throughout the alley, and if one were to brave a peek through its cracked windows, they would find the inside pitch-black… until they hear the thumping of fists against wood. Some say The Coffin House may have sold paraphernalia related to necromancy, though it is unclear if the shop is still open. The sign stabbed in the dirt patch outside humorously notes that everything needed to ‘raise it from the dead’ could be easily found inside its doors.

DYSTYL PHAELANGES
Walking by, people would come to a halt upon spotting impressive displays of skeletons at the front window of a tall shop. “Fine bones and tusk! Carefully selected! All Intact!” The bold slogan is printed in big capital letters on dusty posters and cards scattered throughout the shop and beside its displays. Welcome to Dystyl Phaelanges, the trusted specialty shop for any and all bones, fossils and fangs you could ever need! If ivory and bone-carved furniture are your thing, this shop will be right up your alley. The owners are reputed to be quite amiable and chatty to any client stepping through their doors, but watch your mouth! Rumor has it that those who dare make a little too many clever remarks on the poor use of a pun in the shop’s name – which was derived from “distal phalanges” – would become a part of the lovely collection of skeletons displayed at the storefront window. In all honesty, well-deserved and good riddance. It is not their fault that idiots can’t appreciate fine comedy!

WAGERS AND DANGERS
Step right up, step right up– Today could be your darn lucky day! From heart-stopping Quidditch matches to cut-throat politics, no bet is off limits at Wagers and Dangers, where money flows where the gamblers go! Despite its notoriety for causing the nastiest disputes and street fights in this side of Knockturn Alley, not much is known about this establishment. A dark-oak door remains locked to the average wizard, but with the right words and knocking sequence, you'll unlock a chance at paradise only found in dreams. Wish to escape? Well, simple answer: You don't!

NOGGIN AND BONCE
Liquid-preserved heads of doxies for the sitting room, shrunken faces of an elf for the kitchen… The possibilities are endless! Here at Noggin and Bonce, customers are spoiled by the finest selection of shrunken heads and other morbid souvenirs in the United Kingdom. Owned by a lovely elderly woman who spent her youth exploring the Indian tribes of South America, the peculiar shop is advertised as a “home decoration and souvenir shop”. Passerbys would see a strange greenish-yellow light illuminating the shop from within, giving the perfect view of the window display of the most popular shrunken heads floating in a thick, clear go.

TRACKLESHANKS LOCKSMITH
‘Need to hide something? Put it under lock and key with Trackleshanks Locksmith’s incredible locks!’ Advertised as a regular locksmith, this building is one of the most modest and normal-looking shops in Knockturn Alley. Clean and simple storefront, you can hardly tell that, in reality, this shop is a burglar's paradise. Just one step into the shop, and you'll be faced with hundreds of drawers labelled with every lock and door model in the UK. From flawless duplicates of keys, to other house-breaking tools, there's no stopping burglars with Trackleshanks Locksmith.

SHYVERWRETCH’S VENOMS AND POISONS
Hold your breath, that isn't stew you're leaning over in that pot. Here at Shyverretch’s Venoms and Poisons, customers are treated to the widest selection of venoms, poisons, toxins, and other dangerous chemicals you can find on this side of London! Dozens of reinforced steel cauldrons cover the store’s floors, barely saving room for the shelves stocked to the brim with foggy glass vials. Known for its tight partnership with Spiny Serpents and Sisyphe to obtain their prized products, this shop promises satisfaction, from a mild indigestion to a very, very, very very long slumber. From refined jars of Acromentula venom, to sticks of freshly-extracted doxy venom, there is a product for every plot and scheme! Watch your back though, that signed receipt at check-out was not for show. The owners are not above throwing you to the serpents if anyone confronts them about what you did with your purchases.

THE WHITE WYVERN
Tucked away just beside Marcus Scarr’s Tattoo Parlour, The White Wyvern is the infamous pub of Knockturn Alley for all of your midnight entertainment needs. With a ramshackle exterior that looks more ancient than the Alley itself, the pub is one of the oldest staples at Knockturn Alley. Despite brick and wood chips crumbling down every moment from the ceiling, The White Wyvern somehow remains standing by sheer willpower and a lot of liquid daring! Passerbys would hear the echo of rambunctious laughter of patrons and thunks of tankards in a toast as they pass the establishment, enticed by the thought of dirt cheap booze and a night of excitement. Poor drinks, poor company, but a promise of a good time! Don't try the biscuits though, you might lose a few teeth.

YE OLDE CURIOSITY SHOP
Have you ever caught yourself wondering: ‘Where do Vanished objects go?’ If you can’t think of an answer, look no further than Ye Olde Curiosity Shop! Tucked between Cobb Webb’s and Borgin and Burke's, this shop is the go-to shop for any and all exotic trinkets, magical junk, and lost objects. Run by a wizard with a beard so long one might wonder how he does not step on himself, this shop somehow has everything you are looking for. Fork? Broken necklace? An impressively large statue of a dog doing hula hoops? If you can think of it, they have it! Just try not to take too long of a peek behind the counter. Let’s just say you might just find some… darker trinkets, behind that barrier. The owner is also noted to be vehemently against selling merchandise to “young folk”. Strange…

CHIMNEY SWEEP ELF
Once a popular shop for busy working-class witches and wizards looking for a suspiciously cheap cleaning service, the Chimney Sweep Elf is now indefinitely shut down with no date for reopening in sight. Since the unfortunate wave of advocacy and protective legislation for elves rights in recent decades, the Ministry of Magic has since shut down and seized this business entirely in its crackdown on exploitation and mistreatment of elves. Now a shell of its former self, the building of Chimney Sweep Elf is left abandoned and cordoned off by the Ministry, never to reopen again…

COBB AND WEBBS
Draped in silky, black widow’s webs and with a curtain of similar design to match, this skin-crawling store seems more like an arachnid specialty shop than a bookstore. The store’s owner, an elderly witch with a predilection for all eight-legged friends, can often be seen wandering the shop with a fuzzy tarantula tucked comfortably in her hair. Shelves are stacked to their brims with handwritten grimoires, forbidden books, and other prints unfit for the feeble mind of the average wizard. When searching for your perfect, questionable read for the month, make sure to look up every now and then– A spider friend might just come to say hello!

SPINY SERPENTS
Hands off– Here at the Spiny Serpent, they all bite! Behind locked doors and metal-barred windows hides the source of blood-curdling hisses, howls, and growls of creatures unlike those in your average pet store. Large vases of all shapes and designs covered the doorstep of the shop, and if one were to tickle the fang of the painted serpent on the smallest vase, an ominous click would sound and a slithering hand would usher in the shop’s newest customer. The interior remains a mystery to most, given the meagre number of clients, but rumor on the street speaks of baskets of resting reptilians and cages of dangerous magical beasts, the merchandise exotic and illegal to the land.

FLEDERMAUS AND TANNER BAT AND SKINS
Your first step into Fledermaus And Tanner Bat And Skins would begin with a suspiciously leathery doormat at your feet. Infamous for its immaculate taxidermy technique and rare leather tanning products, this shop produces and sells exclusively animal-part goods. From firedrake taxidermies to Hippogriff skin, the sky is the limit when it comes to the shop’s large variety of offerings. Passersby and self-proclaimed witnesses claim an odd traffic and relationship between Fledermaus And Tanner Bat And Skins and its next-door neighbour, the Spiny Serpents.

THE CROOKED TWIG
Are you looking for originality? Do you wish to step out of the crowd? Look no further, this is the place for you. If you believe no wand has yet to truly capture your uniqueness, then perhaps one of the models stocked in the towering shelves of The Crooked Twig will fit you like a glove. In his surprisingly large shop, rectangular boxes are stored from ceiling to the floor, piling up on every corner of the room. Inside, wands, but not your usual king of magical sticks. No, here each and every wand has a unique, unsettling detail to its making. The owner dedicates his time to fetch the most unusual cores — vampire toenails, sphinx fangs, glumbumble treacle — and woods — from the whomping willow, trees of the forbidden forest, floorboard from the shrieking shack — to propose its unique creations to its even more unique clients.