NOVEL NEXT Chapter 87: Mr. Borgin
Even the most challenging exams come to an end, and so did the academic year as the seventh graders finished their final History of Magic test.
Professor McGonagall, having received the grades earlier, could barely contain her excitement as she discreetly informed Tver that this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts results were better than ever, particularly the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. scores.
If the criteria remained the same as previous years, where both O and E grades could advance to the higher-level class, she would need to prepare herself for a significant increase in the number of students.
However, Tver responded absentmindedly. At the end-of-year feast, Dumbledore unsurprisingly awarded extra points for the trio's performance, indirectly validating Ron's boastful claims.
Thus, although Gryffindor did not win the Quidditch Cup, they still surpassed Slytherin and triumphantly claimed the House Cup.
Before the students left the school, Tver assigned the summer homework, naturally giving the students with poorer theoretical grades a heavier workload.
Afterward, Tver vanished from the students' sight until they boarded the train, and no one saw him again. Had it not been for the prior knowledge that he would continue as a professor next academic year, the students might have started to protest.
Knockturn Alley.
This is another magical commercial area adjacent to Diagon Alley. Unlike Diagon Alley, wizards here habitually wear hoods, doing their best to conceal their identities.
While not all who frequent this place are dark wizards, sometimes ordinary wizards with special needs appear, though the items sold are mostly associated with dark magic.
Thus, the Ministry of Magic has not shut down this shadowy place, which lies in a grey area between good and evil.
Caractacus Burke considers himself a standout in this area, so most here respectfully address him as Mr. Borgin.
He thought he knew all the secrets of Knockturn Alley and held many sources of information in the wizarding world. That was until early July when a mysterious customer visited his shop.
This man was strikingly handsome and debonair. His exquisite but unostentatious suit seemed as if it were a part of him, perfectly complementing his demeanor.
Yet, Mr. Borgin did not recall such a distinguished person ever appearing before, especially one so conspicuous in his appearance in Knockturn Alley.
The man was naturally Tver. However, his appearance had been altered through Transfiguration, gradually resembling a younger Dumbledore. This was something he had "accidentally" glimpsed when he suddenly appeared in the headmaster's office and saw the old man frantically packing away his belongings.
He had intended to change into another teacher who was closer to Tver's height, but considering young Grindelwald was far more striking than young Dumbledore, he decided to quell that idea to avoid any trouble.
"Mr. Borgin?" Tver surveyed the dimly lit shop.
To enhance its mysterious aura, the shops in Knockturn Alley sparingly used lighting.
"Good day, esteemed guest. I am the proprietor of this establishment, Caractacus Burke. You may simply call me Mr. Borgin," said Mr. Borgin, approaching with a greasy smile.
Those who strutted through Knockturn Alley either did so out of naivety or because they had a backing—either way, it meant business was afoot.
Tver glanced oddly at Mr. Borgin's hair, which was greasier than Snape's, perhaps even more so.
Unperturbed, Mr. Borgin casually ran his hands through his slick, face-framing hair.
"What might you need, sir? We have a variety of items here that will meet your needs, unmatched by any other shop in Knockturn Alley."
Tver casually perused the items in the store: glass eyeballs, grotesque masks, human bones—hardly suitable for children.
Mr. Borgin wasn't lying; this shop indeed had the largest assortment of dark magic artifacts, with even more peculiar items hidden in the back. However, such artifacts no longer piqued Tver's interest enough to study them. So, he stated his purpose directly.
"I've heard that the house next door is also your property. Name your price; I want to buy it."
Yes, he needed a place away from Dumbledore and his family to conduct his research on Horcruxes. The sinister aura that Horcruxes carried could easily be detected by Dumbledore and his kin if delved into too deeply. Thus, he was compelled to find such a dwelling in Knockturn Alley.
Unfortunately, even in a rare commercial district like Knockturn Alley, satisfactory properties were scarce. The only appealing one was the house next to Mr. Borgin's shop. Naturally, it was no surprise that a place near Mr. Borgin's emanated an evil aura.
Mr. Borgin blinked in confusion, "Could you repeat that, please? I didn't catch it the first time."
"I want to buy the house next door," Tver succinctly reiterated.
Mr. Borgin raised his hand in surprise, then lowered it, repeating the gesture several times before finally speaking, "May I ask why you wish to purchase it?"
"No."
Tver stared into Mr. Borgin's eyes, which immediately filled with bewilderment.
But a second later, a sound like shattering glass emanated from Mr. Borgin, and his puzzled expression cleared.
"Sir," Mr. Borgin said, drawing his wand with one hand and a phoenix feather with the other, "state your purpose, or I shall have to notify the Ministry!"
As the most notorious figure in Knockturn Alley, Mr. Borgin was often targeted by dark wizards for plunder.
However, he had managed to survive up to this point by relying on his superb magical skills and an assortment of magical artifacts.
Yet, Tver had no intention of causing a scene; he simply wanted to resolve the matter quickly.
"Calm down," he said placidly, spreading his hands, "I just want to buy a house, that's all. Of course, if you still have more of that artifact you just used, I'll take that as well."
Mr. Borgin didn't lower his wand but relaxed his tensed muscles. His left hand slipped the feather back into his pocket while feeling for something else.
"Are you referring to this?" he asked, pulling out a diamond-shaped crystal, although it was covered in cracks, "This is an artifact designed to prevent soul disturbances."
Seeing the crystal shattered completely unnerved him again. A mere confusion spell had caused such a violent reaction in the crystal, which was meant to withstand even the Imperius!
More importantly, this guest had performed the spell wandless and silently!
He suddenly realized how foolish he looked holding his wand. With this man's capabilities, unless he had a hundred such crystals, his resistance was futile.
He hurriedly put down his wand and bent over, speaking in an even greasier tone, "There aren't many crystals left, I could give you one. As for the house next door, do you really have to buy it?"
Mr. Borgin's voice carried a hint of plaintiveness; he really did not want such a character as a neighbor.
While sometimes this brought some invisible protection, angering this man could place him in grave danger.
Tver, somewhat puzzled, blinked his deep blue eyes, mistakenly thinking Mr. Borgin was worried about the price.
"My interest is solely in the house. Rest assured, as long as the price is fair, I can pay in Galleons right now."
As he spoke, a large bag of gold coins floated out of his pocket, striking Mr. Borgin's heart like whispers from a demon.
Mr. Borgin eyed the bag of Galleons. After a moment of internal struggle, he gritted his teeth and decided to sell the house—after all, he could always increase the security measures!
"Alright, I can sell it to you."
He simply didn't have the courage to say no to such money and power.