Poison Ivy | T. Riddle ✔

[02] Borgin And Burkes

Faint rays of light filtered through the old-fashioned curtains, covering the dingy windows of the dimly lit shop. Shelves upon shelves of books, objects, and mysterious caricatures spiraled throughout the clustered room. 

A dust-ridden glass case held a withered hand on a cushion, a blood-stained pack of cards, and a staring glass eye. Frightening masks stared down from the walls, an assortment of human bones were laid upon the counter, and rusty instruments hung from the ceiling. 

At the entrance, a banner read Borgin and Burkes: Wizarding Artifacts, Knockturn Alley.

The place all in all screamed horror and mystery. However, the person seated behind the counter seemed to be quite indifferent to the oddity of the shop. 

Perseus was immersed in a book, leafing cautiously through its ancient pages. His face was set in the same tranquil expression seen in the forest when he had visited his future home with his cousin Demelza and fiance Renata Fawley.

In contrast to the shop, he looked quite out of place with his youthful demeanor and calm outlook. The bell clanged as the door opened which made him look up at the visitor. An old woman entered the shop, eyeing it keenly as if eager to take in every object put on display, to whom he quickly got up and offered his chair, "Good day Miss Smith. What can I do for you this fine morning?"

Settling down in the chair, she spoke, "I had come to offer a proposal to your father. Where is he? He should have been at the shop."

"Father is currently busy in an expedition with Mister Borgin," Perseus replied immediately clearing up the desk and stowing the book underneath, "if you please, you may let me know the purpose of your visit."

"Ah dear, it's not a matter for you," she brushed him off with a single wave of her hand, tinkling with strings of gems wrapped around her wrist. "Just the usual case of trade."

He nodded, understanding the purpose behind her visit. Hepzibah Smith was a regular client at Borgin and Burkes. She was known to have a certain interest in ancient heirlooms and hosted quite a plenty of such treasures in the vaults she owned. So, she would come more often to sell rather than purchase anything.

"So what's new up in your father's shop?" Her curious eyes landed on the glass case which held numerous odd trinkets, "You may as well acquaint me with the objects here that escaped my notice."

Ah, nothing ever escapes your notice, Madam, he thought, smiling a little. "Of course. Our resources uncovered quite a strange object. I'm sure you will like that."

He watched as she straightened at his words, "A strange object?"

"Let me bring it to you. But fair warning; whatever you do, do not touch it," he remarked before opening the shelf and carefully retrieving a box from within.

She looked mildly offended at his words, "Do not touch it? It's almost akin to asking a goldsmith not to touch jewelry before weighing it."

"Miss Smith, I'm saying that for your own benefit. This object is cursed and has claimed the lives of over fifteen Muggle owners."

He placed the dusty box in front of her and cautiously lifted the clasp. Inside was a beautiful necklace with opals studded in an intricate pattern that seemed to have entranced her.

"My, my... This is a precious necklace for all I can say."

"Precious but cursed," Perseus replied, "yet it's on sale for now. We found it among the ruins of a Muggle townhouse; dreadful circumstances indeed. But as long as you don't touch it, it's a treasure to behold."