Introduction

Deep in the dark streets of Knockturn Alley, past swindlers and wizards with suspiciously large coats, sits a unique antique shop at 13B called Borgin and Burkes. An array of dark witches and wizards have visited this shop since 1863, and most families have banned their children from entering. The owners never meant to attract such a sinister crowd, but with the objects they collected, it was only natural that the shop developed the reputation it still holds today.

With these artifacts often come unusual stories of peculiar customers. The owners, Mr. Borgin and Mr. Burke, have had some extraordinary and frightening experiences in their time working at the shop. Over the years, some especially interesting and powerful Indian objects have been in the shop's possession. They attracted the attention of certain infamous dark witches and wizards who typically left giving threats of death. (Borgin and Burke were more than used to this and had long ago put protection spells in place to protect the shop and themselves.) These Indian relics held secrets that even the most skilled of Wizardkind would have trouble deciphering. For instance, an object known as the Brahmashirsha astra contained the power to destroy the entire world. Another object, Ashwatthama's gem, protected the owner from any mortal concern, such as illness, hunger, and thirst. A roughed-up wish-granting stone called the Cintamani Stone also made its way to the shop, passed down from hand to hand for generations. These objects and others were handled with extreme care and maximum security. When they finally sold, Borgin and Burke celebrated, but lurking in the back of their minds was a worry that they had chosen the wrong person to make a deal with.

The following stories recount experiences from Borgin and Burkes, telling tales of the witches and wizards who found an item of interest and displayed immense curiosity towards it. Good luck, and remember to proceed with caution.