Knockturn Alley

Knockturn Alley
Location information
Location	Diagon Alley, London, England, Great Britain
Permanent residents	Borgin Caractacus Burke
Affiliation	Dark Arts

"Skulkin' around Knockturn Alley, I dunno — dodgy place, Harry — don' want no one ter see yeh down there —"

— Rubeus Hagrid informing Harry Potter of Knockturn Alley's sinister reputation

Knockturn Alley was a shopping area off Diagon Alley in London. It was filled with numerous shops devoted to the Dark Arts, including Borgin and Burkes, which specialised in objects that had curious and strong magical properties. Unusual, sinister and sometimes dangerous individuals walked around and shopped in the area. When Tom Riddle left Hogwarts, he worked at Borgin and Burkes.

Overview

Knockturn Alley sign

Just around the corner from Diagon Alley lay a dark, twisting alleyway devoted to the Dark Arts: Knockturn Alley. It was a place that the Weasley children were not allowed in, and with good reason. Not only were the wares sold there somewhat dangerous, but the wizards and witches hanging around behaved fairly suspiciously as well. From the shops and the street vendors one could purchase, among other things, shrunken heads, poisonous candles, human-looking fingernails, and Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent.

Access

The entrance to Knockturn Alley

As with Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley was not directly accessible from the Muggle world. The Leaky Cauldron pub provided one access (via Diagon Alley), while Apparition and Floo Powder were other access options. In addition, as noted above, a vanishing cabinet located within one of the shops provided direct access to Hogwarts. The entrance to Knockturn Alley was noted to be gloomy in comparison to that of Diagon Alley.

History

1920s

Borgin and Burke located at at 13B, Knockturn Alley

When Merope Gaunt eloped with Tom Riddle Snr, probably in late 1925 or early 1926, Tom abandoned her and their unborn son a short while later, leaving Merope alone and destitute. Her only possession of worth was a heavy golden locket engraved with a serpentine 'S', which was once the property of Salazar Slytherin, her direct ancestor. Mr Burke was a shrewd businessman but not exactly a kind human being.

According to Hepzibah Smith, Burke purchased the necklace from Merope for "a pittance", meaning he bought the necklace sometime in 1926, before Voldemort's birth, for a very small amount of money or something equally as worthless. Burke admitted to purchasing the necklace for a mere ten Galleons, taking advantage of Merope's ignorance and desperation.

Sometime later, Burke sold the necklace to Hepzibah Smith. She paid "an arm and a leg for it", claiming that she could not let a "real treasure" like that pass. Burke turned a tidy profit on the necklace at Merope's expense, but he could not have imagined the importance of that particular heirloom, or how it would impact his business years later.

1945-1961

"However, Voldemort was no mere assistant. Polite and handsome and clever, he was soon given particular jobs of the type that only exist in a place like Borgin and Burkes, which specialises, as you know, Harry, in objects with unusual and powerful properties. Voldemort was sent to persuade people to part with their treasures for sale by the partners, and he was, by all accounts, unusually gifted at doing this."

— Tom Riddle during his time at Borgin and Burkes

Roughly eighteen years after purchasing Slytherin's locket, Burke, without realising it, hired the son of the woman he had bought it from. Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, started working at Borgin and Burkes directly after graduating from Hogwarts in 1945. Riddle, who graduated Hogwarts with flying colours, had surprised others with his career choice. Promising witches and wizards with similar standing as Riddle had often been a catch to the Ministry of Magic, so Riddle's choice to make application to such a disreputable establishment in Knockturn Alley was seen as odd.

Many of Tom's former teachers were surprised and disappointed at his choice of career at the shop, believing it was a waste of his exceptional talents. What they failed to unearth was that Tom was using the shop's connections to the Dark Arts to further his independent studies in the branch. A handsome and charismatic young man, it was his job to persuade people to part with their wizardly artefacts. Riddle did a very good job at carrying out this intent.

Once Riddle had murdered Hepzibah Smith and the locket was in his possession, he disappeared from wizard life completely, taking it and a cup once owned by Helga Hufflepuff with him. Riddle also left Caractacus Burke perplexed, as he failed to show up to work from then on. A previously responsible employee, Riddle abruptly deserted his position in Borgin & Burkes without giving due notice of resignation to his superiors.

1988–1989 school year

During the 1988–1989 school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Jacob's sibling and one of their school friends ventured into Knockturn Alley using the Floo Powder with the help of Patricia Rakepick, hoping to meet Mundungus Fletcher. After speaking to Mundungus Fletcher and also Villanelle, they went to enter Borgin and Burkes, but were approached by a Dark witch, who demanded something from them, with her cursing their friend with the Slug-vomiting Charm and then duelling Jacob's sibling. She was defeated, but more dark wizards and witches surrounded them before they were dispelled by Rakepick. They then left the alley to visit the Three Broomsticks Inn to speak to Fletcher.

Rakepick in Knockturn Alley demonstrating the Cruciatus Curse

Jacob's sibling and Rakepick visited the alley again that twice that school year, the first time being when they spoke to Mundungus Fletcher in the alley after purchasing a new wand at Ollivanders, who told them that he had sold the Marauder's Map to an unknown buyer, whilst they were looking for it. The second time, Rakepick wanted to teach them the Unforgivable Curses, so she demonstrated the Cruciatus Curse on a Dark wizard, much to Jacob's sibling's shock and horror. Jacob's sibling also visited the alley to speak to Fletcher again, where they duelled a Dark wizard on Fletcher's orders and won the duel, as Fletcher claimed the wizard had cheated him.

1989–1990 school year

Merula Snyde in Knockturn Alley planning on killing Rakepick

During the 1989–1990 school year at Hogwarts, Jacob's sibling visited the alley to speak to Ben Copper about a missing skull from the Artefact Room, accusing them of stealing it, but Ben was instead looking for answers about Rakepick (by then a fugitive). Ben then spoke to Mundungus Fletcher, who warned them about a Wizard in white robes from the Mahoutokoro School of Magic, who was a deadly assassin. At another time, they went to the alley to speak to Merula Snyde, who was planning on killing Rakepick as revenge, but their brother Jacob Apparated on the scene and warned them that the assassin was after the both of them. They asked their brother for more information, but he had to leave after giving them a brief practice duel. Jacob's sibling went to the alley another time to see Ben Copper interrogating dark wizards and witches. They encountered a witch who had information about the assassin, and then Mundungus Fletcher, who was under a disguise, told them Rakepick had been collecting dark artefacts.

The real Rakepick arriving in Knockturn Alley

Jacob's sibling also entered Knockturn Alley disguised as Rakepick with Polyjuice Potion in order to infiltrate a meeting of the organisation R, which resulted in Rakepick discovering them, and a brief duel occurred in the alley with them, Alastor Moody, and their brother, with them overpowering Rakepick and forcing her to Disapparate. The last time they visited the alley that school year was when they discovered Merula Snyde to be the mole for R after watching her reveal her supposed loyalty towards the group with a Dark witch they had encountered before with Fletcher, both under Invisibility Cloaks.

1990–1991 school year

Zenith Xeep duelling Jacob's sibling in Knockturn Alley

During the 1990–1991 school year, Zenith Xeep went hiding in Knockturn Alley after her product, Xeep's Luscious Locks Solution, was discovered to have memory-erasing properties. Jacob's sibling and Ben Copper watched as she and Verucca Buckthorn-Snyde were having a meeting, and when Zenith was about to hand over the wand she had stolen, Ben interrupted them and attempted to grab the wand but was Stunned by the Dark witch, who Disapparated when Jacob's sibling also came out. Zenith duelled Jacob's sibling and was defeated. She quickly took out a bottle of Xeep's Luscious Locks Solution and drank it herself, intending to erase her own memory, but the solution was so strong that she couldn't even remember her name afterwards.

Jacob's sibling later returned to have a private meeting with Verucca Buckthorn-Snyde in Knockturn Alley with Merula after Verucca tasked her niece with bringing them to her. After ordering her niece to purchase her some poisonous candles from Tallow and Hemp Toxic Tapers, Verucca informed them that their father Peregrine was out of control and that they had a common interest in returning him back to normal. They were sceptical but reluctantly agreed to work with Verucca after they told her about the effects of Dai Ryusaki's amulet on Peregrine.

During their plan to steal the amulet, Verucca met with Peregrine in Knockturn Alley while Jacob's sibling remained hidden under their Invisibility Cloak. After briefly talking with him, Jacob then confronted him and started arguing with him, allowing Jacob's sibling to sneak up on him from behind. However, Peregrine detected their presence and knocked them to the ground with the Banishing Charm. Verucca then took the situation into her own hands, telling Peregrine that he would be handing over the amulet when she threatened him with a purple spell. Jacob stood in the way of her Conjunctivitis Curse when she fired it at Peregrine, defending his father, which completely blinded him. Alastor Moody and his Aurors soon Apparated to the scene to arrest Peregrine and Verucca, having been told of the plan, leading the two to instantly Disapparate before they could be arrested.

1992

Ron Weasley: "Where did you come out?"

Harry Potter: "Knockturn Alley."

Weasley twins: "Excellent!"

— Harry's Floo mishap landing him in Borgin and Burkes

Harry Potter inside Borgin and Burkes

Harry Potter first entered Knockturn Alley on 10 August 1992 when using Floo powder for the first time to travel to Diagon Alley from The Burrow. He instead ended up inside Borgin and Burkes when he didn't say "Diagon Alley" clearly enough. While inside the shop, he briefly saw Lucius and Draco Malfoy conversing with Mr Borgin, to whom Lucius was selling Dark artefacts.

Harry Potter visiting the alley for the first time on 10 August 1992

After leaving the shop, Harry encountered an aged witch with mossy teeth selling what looked like human fingernails on a tray. The witch asked him if he was lost, but Harry was intimidated by her leer. Thankfully for him, Rubeus Hagrid immediately showed up with his huge presence startling the witch, causing her to drop her tray of fingernails and curse in response. Hagrid, who was getting Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent in Knockturn Alley, told Harry that he shouldn't be hanging around in such a "dodgy place". Hagrid then escorted Harry back to the Weasleys in Diagon Alley.

1996

The trio visiting the alley during the height of the Second Wizarding War

Harry's next visit to the alley was in 1996 when he, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger followed Draco Malfoy, whom Harry suspected of being a Death Eater. Draco let several Death Eaters into Hogwarts through a Vanishing Cabinet in Borgin and Burkes at the end of the 1996–1997 school year.

From the shops, one can purchase many types of dark objects, which include poisonous candles, shrunken heads, giant spiders, human-looking fingernails and toenails, and Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent. Because of its contents, Arthur and Molly Weasley prohibited their children from entering Knockturn Alley.

Items that could be purchased

A "bloodstained pack of cards". Poisonous candles, sold in a shop several doors down from Borgin and Burkes. Evil-looking masks. Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent, which Hagrid apparently bought somewhere in the alley. The Hand of Glory, which "gives light only to the holder" – purchased by Draco Malfoy at some point before 1996 and used to help Death Eaters break into Hogwarts, spring 1997. Hangman's rope. Human bones. Rusty, spiked instruments. A "staring glass eye". Human fingernails, sold by an aged witch. Slytherin's Locket, which Borgin and Burkes purchased from Merope Gaunt for ten galleons and later sold to Hepzibah Smith for far more.

The cursed Opal Necklace, priced at 1500 Galleons, which killed nineteen Muggle owners and was later purchased by Draco Malfoy for an attempt to kill Dumbledore. Katie Bell was injured instead. Shrunken heads on sale in a window across from Borgin and Burkes, one of which might have been purchased by Crabbe in 1996. Skulls, at least one of which costs sixteen galleons. Giant black spiders in a shop window a couple of doors down from Borgin and Burkes. A Vanishing Cabinet, which unknown to anyone but Draco Malfoy (at the time, at least) linked directly to its partner in Hogwarts. Draco bought it in 1996 and used it to sneak Death Eaters into the school the following spring.

Known locations

13B Knockturn Alley - A building where Borgin and Burkes was located. Borgin and Burkes - An antique shop. Beard Trimming - A barber shop. Betting shop - A shop that took bets on various events. Chimney Sweep Elf Cobb & Webb's - A shop that sold items related to Dark Arts. The Coffin House - A shop that sold Dark Arts materials related to the dark art of Necromancy. Dystyl Phaelanges - A shop that sold bones. E.L.M and Wizards Undertakers & Embalmers Fledermaus and Tanner Bats & Skins - A shop that sold bats. Markus Scarr's Indelible Tattoos - A tattoo parlour. McHavelock's Wizarding Headgear - A shop that sold hats and wigs.

Moribund's Mr Mulpepper's Apothecary - A shop that sold potion ingredients. Msaw Ætare Noggin and Bonce - A shop that sold shrunken heads. Potage's Cauldron Shop - A shop that sold different types of cauldrons. Priya Treadwell's shop Tallow and Hemp Toxic Tapers Trackleshanks Locksmith - A shop that sold locks and fit or replace keys. Shyverwretch's Venoms and Poisons The Spiny Serpent The Starry Prophesier The White Wyvern - A pub. Wizarding Supplies Ye Olde Curiosity Shop - A shop where people could purchase curios related to Dark Arts.

Etymology

The name "Knockturn Alley" is a play on "nocturnally", just as "Diagon Alley" is a play on "diagonally". "Nocturnally" has to do with the night and darkness, hinting at its dark nature.

Behind the scenes

• The Whispering Wizard may have been an inhabitant of Knockturn Alley.
• The 2-disc DVD edition of the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets includes an interactive tour of Diagon Alley, which includes one of the entrances to Knockturn Alley (in the early films depicted as being directly to the right and behind the Leaky Cauldron access), although the tour does not progress into the alley itself.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Shrunken Head in the Knight Bus announces "Next stop, Knockturn Alley!" after the Knight Bus has dropped off Harry at the Leaky Cauldron. This suggests that either there is an entrance to Knockturn Alley that does not lead through the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley, or that the Knight Bus can actually jump into Knockturn Alley to a bus stop there. This is not seen (or possible according to J.K. Rowling's book canon.)

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (Entrance only) (PS1 version only)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Mentioned in deleted scene)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game) (Nintendo DS version only)
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter (website)
• LEGO Harry Potter
• LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
• LEGO Harry Potter (Mentioned only)
• Creator: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• LEGO Dimensions (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: The Wand Collection (Mentioned only)
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Diagon Alley
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Mentioned in History of Magic classes)
• Hogwarts Legacy (Mentioned only)

Notes and references

London's wizarding quarter

England, Great Britain
Carkitt Market - Diagon Alley - Horizont Alley - Knockturn Alley