Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 8 Doing Business

Narrow and cold.

This was Melvin's first impression of Knockturn Alley.

The road is nearly half as narrow as Diagon Alley. Shops are crammed together on both sides of the road, and the eaves are extremely low, so the sunlight cannot shine in. The moment you step into the alley, your vision becomes dim, and a faint chill envelops your whole body.

The corners of the walls were covered with sticky black mud, and mold was spreading freely.

There was a sticky feeling under his feet, and before Melvin could look down, a sharp and piercing sound suddenly rang in his ears.

"Lost, dear?"

An old witch appeared from nowhere and stood before him.

Melvin smelled the odor of rotten fish intestines and looked down. It came from the wicker basket she was carrying. The basket was covered with a layer of linen, so he couldn't see what was inside. He only saw dark red liquid seeping out from the cracks in the wicker, dripping onto the stone slab.

Not knowing the witch's motives, nor caring what business she was in, Melvin threw a few silver Sickles into the basket and said, "Take me to Borgin and Burke's. If we get there safely, the balance will be the same."

"We are happy to help."

The witch forced a bright smile, revealing her mossy teeth. "Come this way. I'll lead the way. Those gutter rats won't bother you."

Melvin was well aware of the principle that guests should follow the host's wishes and had no objection.

Following the witch into an even narrower alley, he felt a sticky sensation under his feet again. He looked down and saw some moss between the cracks in the stones, and some half-dried dark mucus, like the blood of some animal.

The further you go in, the darker the view becomes.

Occasionally, a pedestrian wrapped in a long robe would pass by hurriedly, with his hood pulled down low, revealing only a small part of his chin or scales.

As a commercial street, Knockturn Alley is lined with shops operating on both sides. These shops, with few signs, display only a few items in the windows: neatly arranged shrunken human heads, giant acromantic spiders in black iron cages, troll skins stretched in wooden frames, and brass bells with finger bone clappers.

Some shops even have staff soliciting customers.

A wizard of unknown age was huddled in the doorway, looking up and down with a sinister gaze, and whispers could be heard from inside.

Seeing him frown slightly, the old witch lowered her voice and explained, "Don't be scared by them. Those are not the heads and finger bones of Muggles or wizards, but those of house-elfs."

Melvin looked away: "How far is it?"

"Just past the candle shop."

The candle shop soon came into view. An old wooden street sign hung in front of the shop. The wax that had sealed the dead flies served as a protective layer. The words on it could be vaguely seen: No. 12 Knockturn Alley.

Further ahead is Borgin and Burke's, the only shop in Knockturn Alley with a clear sign.

The old witch received the final payment of seven silver Sickles. She smiled brightly, the moss on her teeth tender and green. "Would you like me to lead the way back, sir? It would only take a few copper knuts."

"no need."

"Have a nice shopping experience."

Melvin watched the figure carrying the wicker basket disappear into the distance, then looked up at the shop sign. The black lacquered wooden sign was bumpy, and the copper-lettered shop name was stained with green rust. The last letter drooped and swayed slightly, as if it would fall and hit passersby at any moment.

The window glass was covered with dirt that looked like scabby eye mucus, with only a light-transmitting area in the middle where someone had wiped it with their palm. Unfortunately, the glass was old and the goods inside could not be seen clearly.

When I pushed open the shop door, the rusty copper bell still sounded crisp.

Hanging from the doorframe were strings of bone ornaments—thin, hollow bones, probably the pubic bones of some bird—that made a hollow clicking sound when they hit the door. Hanging from the ceiling were several kerosene lamps, their shades clogged with insect carcasses, and the room was filled with a faint smell of mold and decay.

A hunched man appeared behind the counter, stroking his shiny hair with his hand. He squinted his eyes and looked Melvin up and down. When he found that it was a new face he had never seen before, he immediately perked up. When his eyes swept across the ring on his left hand, he paused for a moment and showed a flattering smile.

"Welcome, sir from afar, what should I call you?" His tone was even greasier than his hair.

"William."

Melvin remained calm. This was the name of a Pukki in Ilvermorny.

"Dear Mr. William, it's a pleasure to meet you. What can I do for you?"

"I need some things that can't be bought outside."

Melvin spoke in a nonchalant tone, not approaching the counter, but casually walking down the aisles between the shelves, examining the merchandise in the store.

"Borgin and Burke are your wise choice." Mr. Borgin stepped out from the counter and introduced him in a slick voice. "This Hand of Glory before you is called the Hand of Glory. It holds a candle. Only the person holding it can see the light. It is a good friend of thieves and robbers."

It was a withered hand, including the forearm and palm, the skin and flesh were pale and shriveled, the arm was made into a base and handle, the palm was a candlestick, and the five fingers were slightly closed.

Melvin deliberately made a disgusted expression: "It sounds like the despicable stuff of a thief or robber."

“Occasionally, it can have unexpected effects.”

"Then wrap it up for me."

"What?" Mr. Borgin was startled.

"I said wrap it up for me, I want this glorious hand."

"But you haven't asked the price yet..."

"Since this is our first meeting, consider it my sincerity. I believe Mr. Borgin will show the same sincerity." Melvin turned his head and looked him in the eyes. "Isn't that right?"

"My pleasure, sir."

Mr. Borgin looked into those dark, deep eyes and was about to offer a price to make a killing when he suddenly found himself at a loss. He hesitated for a few seconds before saying in a muffled voice, "Forty-three Galleons. That was the price when I took over from the Bulstrode family ten years ago."

"Fifty, Mr. Borgin, this isn't the only business we're doing," Melvin said softly.

"I commend you for your generosity," said Mr. Borgin, in a more sincere tone.

"Now let's go ahead and see what other interesting things we have in store."

The greasy tone of voice once again rang out in the dim shop, occasionally interspersed with a few brief comments.

"This is a hanging noose. Three hundred years ago, a wizard transformed 'Quick Imprisonment' into a dark magic. The thick rope shot out from the wand no longer binds and imprisons the enemy, but suspends them..."

"It's a very good black magic. When the enemy is suspended, they can't cast spells, and being unable to cast spells means they can't break free."

"Yes, the raw materials of this noose are the skins of those hanged wizards, seven male wizards, and the hair of six female witches. It is soaked and tanned with mermaid blood on a full moon night. The magic of resentment and curse ferments from this, and it can quietly wrap around the neck of a sleeping wizard at night, causing him to sleep forever."

"Any wizard with normal intelligence, even a Muggle, should be able to break free before being strangled to death."

"Look at this, the opal necklace. An ancient and vicious curse that has claimed the lives of nineteen Muggles."

"The curse above is almost dissipating."

"A suffocating puppet with rubies embedded in its eye sockets. Whenever someone lets down their guard in front of it, its fingers twitch and point at the back of the customer's neck..."

"And then the angry people smash it with their fists?"

"A vanishing cabinet, a cabinet that can disappear and reappear, used to hide or transport magical items."

"Where's the other half?" "..."

After picking and choosing, Melvin didn't buy anything else, but Mr. Bogin just smiled bitterly and couldn't refute.

As Knockturn Alley has developed to this day, the Ministry of Magic has somewhat acquiesced. It's not that they can't control it, but that they don't want to strictly control it.

As long as the rats in the gutter don't run out and provoke in broad daylight, the house cats won't chase them into the sewers. As long as these dark wizards don't go out to murder wizards and Muggles, the Aurors won't pester them to the end.

Borgin and Burke hid deep in Knockturn Alley, and had to consider the reputation of the Ministry of Magic, so they dared not openly sell overly dangerous dark magic items. The remaining things only sounded powerful, and using them to curse and murder wizards would only cause a joke.

After introducing the last item, Mr. Borgin's slick voice gradually became difficult, and he added dryly: "The goods in our store are all rare and ancient magical creations passed down from outstanding wizarding families."

"But I need something new."

Mr. Borgin was stunned for a moment, then asked tentatively, "What do you mean?"

"A creation that combines magic and Muggle technology."

Melvin's voice was very soft, but it was very clear to Mr. Borgin's ears. He subconsciously wanted to refute, but he saw those dark eyes again.

"Mr. William, I have never lied or concealed anything from you."

Mr. Borgin's face showed hesitation and struggle. "Muggles do make a lot of interesting gadgets. Some wizards like these things and are keen on modifying their gadgets. Knockturn Alley used to sell them, such as Muggle glass candles with metal wicks that can be lit with magic. There are also similar things like bicycles and alarm clocks..."

Melvin was intrigued.

"But after Umbridge took over the Office for the Prohibition of the Improper Use of Magic, she tightened the scrutiny of these things. She regarded this as a merit for promotion and wanted to put all wizards who touched Muggle things in Azkaban. Now no one dares to do these businesses."

Melvin frowned slightly and asked persistently, "Is there no way at all?"

Mr. Borgin shook his head, seeming to hesitate.

He lowered his head and pondered for a few seconds. The sincerity and goodwill he had accumulated before took effect. He hesitated and said, "It's just that no one is doing business. Some wizards simply love this and work on it privately, only communicating with like-minded people..."

"Anything related to photography?"

"I can't give you accurate information right now," Mr. Borgin shook his head. "I only know they're tinkering with Muggle artifacts. They know exactly what they're researching and what they've produced. If you need anything in that area, I can make some introductions for you."

Melvin had just arrived in London and didn't know any other brokers here, so he had no choice but to agree.

Both parties left their contact information with each other, a one-way anonymous one.

After leaving Borgin and Burke's, Melvin was in a good mood. Although he didn't buy anything he wanted during this shopping trip, it wasn't a complete failure. Even if he returned empty-handed in the end, at least he knew that a group of wizards had begun to get in touch with Muggle technology.

This is good news for the Muggle Studies professors who have not yet started their jobs.

In the evening, the sky was dark.

Melvin held the beautifully packaged wooden box and walked back along the narrow road of Knockturn Alley.

Night fell a little faster than expected. Some shops on both sides of the street had closed down, while others had hung up copper lamps with burning candles inside. The pale light failed to illuminate the road, making it seem even more eerie.

Knockturn Alley is not very lively at night. Dark wizards are also human beings and do not have the habit of staying out at night.

Melvin slowed down when passing by the shop selling Acromantulas. He remembered that there used to be a shop selling troll skins next to this shop, but now it has become an alley that can only accommodate two people walking side by side, with brick walls on both sides.
Melvin thought for a moment and walked in. At least the general direction was right.

The alleyway grew quieter.

Turning the corner, Melvin stopped.

Two cloaked figures stood in front, their boot soles grinding on rat skulls in the cracks of the stone slabs.

There was a sound behind me, and when I turned around, I saw two figures appearing behind me.

There were brick walls on both sides, and I had no idea where it came from.

"..."

I thought Knockturn Alley was really a commercial street.

Melvin actually felt a little relieved.

Knockturn Alley is famous for being a gathering place for dark wizards, but it looks just like that during the day. Apart from the scary-looking goods, there doesn't seem to be anything amazing about them. Mr. Borgin is also a law-abiding businessman.

I thought the dark wizards had intimidated each other to achieve a delicate balance and built Knockturn Alley into a harmonious street.

I didn't expect that the main business was not discussed in the store, but was traded deep in the alley.

There were no streetlights in Knockturn Alley, and no shops in front or behind. The area was only illuminated by the faint light from the sky. Melvin observed the four dark wizards.

They all seemed to be experienced veterans, wearing moleskin masks and hiding their bodies in linen cloaks. Each of them exuded the scent of dragon claw powder, which could prevent Aurors from searching for traces based on the smell.

As Melvin observed the four men, they were also observing him.

"I heard there's a new guest in Knockturn Alley?"

A hoarse voice boomed from beneath the moleskin mask: "Knockturn Alley isn't just about Old Borgin's shop. There are other items worth buying, too."

"Are you really here to do business?"

"Pay with one hand and deliver with the other hand."

"What are you selling?"

"Map of Knockturn Alley"

"I thought you built this road and wanted to charge me a toll."

"12 Galleons each."

“It’s a bit expensive, but it’s not unacceptable.”

"Minimum order of 12."

"Bundling is not a sustainable way of doing business."

Melvin patiently persuaded him. He was about to start as a professor, so a little patience was always a good idea. "How about this? I'll buy you a map for 10 Sickles. Consider it a new customer discount. You can also give me maps of other wizarding villages in Britain, with as many detailed labels as possible."

"We only sell Knockturn Alley maps, and we never bargain."

"Aren't you robbers?"

Melvin found that his patience was thinner than he had imagined and was quickly exhausted. He tilted his head slightly to look around the alley, then looked up.

The entire aisle is narrow and long, which makes it a bit troublesome to be attacked from both sides.

The four unruly businessmen in front and behind also realized that the negotiations had broken down, and they clenched their wands, and the atmosphere gradually became solemn.

Melvin felt a little disappointed when he saw that they didn't even have dueling etiquette. He reached out to open the wooden box and remembered what Mr. Borgin had said about it:
“Occasionally it can have unexpected effects.”

(End of this chapter)