Famously, Knockturn Alley was known as a hub for all things dark and mysterious. It was beggar’s belief why the Ministry didn’t shut it down and turn it into an extended part of Diagon Alley. But to balance out the light there needed to be a certain amount of dark and vice versa otherwise they would cease to exist. But there was a gem to be found in every place, it just depended on your intent. There was a small store in Knockturn Alley that supplied items that couldn’t be found in other shops. Actually, this particular establishment was the only place Aimee knew that supplied a particular brand of plant feed. What she needed though wasn’t the plant feed but something that would kill the ivy on her stairs.
Upon laying eyes on the girl you wouldn’t expect her to be as enthusiastic about plants as she was. In fact it probably wouldn’t even cross your mind but the young woman was a Herbologist and a pretty darn good one at that. She firmly believed that her plants were welcome in her home and that they had feelings of their own. That was why she hadn’t minded when a mysterious patch of ivy had started growing on her stairs. Now that ivy covered her stairs and was beginning to wander up to the second floor and it had already begun to overwhelm the downstairs. Aimee had tried a number of different things but what she really needed to use was poison. Aimee didn’t want to, not really, but it was getting out of control now and cutting it back had done absolutely nothing.
For October it was a sunny day. Summer weather was persisting and it made Aimee think twice about shrugging on the coat she’d left downstairs. She’d taken a dress from her wardrobe, desperate to at least wear one more before putting her dresses away until the spring. She wasn’t quite ready to part with her dresses just yet. The thought of swapping light, colourful material for something heavy and depressing was a reality check. The moment hats, scarves and gloves had to be broken out was the same moment the dresses had to be put away. Thankfully it wasn’t something that needed to be worried about just yet and with a few well placed warming charms, Aimee headed out.
With a crack, Aimee Apparated. The redhead appeared on the street corner outside of the Leaky Cauldron. She entered the pub, cut through, wishing a good day to the barman, and walked out into the courtyard. She tapped the bricks with her wand and passed through the archway. Aimee paused and looked around. For an average day in Diagon Alley it was still fairly busy. It couldn’t compare to the summer but the shopkeepers weren’t without trade. Aimee quickly made her way through Diagon Alley and drifted past the Blue Moon Nightclub. It was boarded up and empty minus the soft thrum of music and laughter that seemed to come from inside.
It was there by one of the lamp posts that Aimee lingered before drifting into the shadows of Knockturn Alley. It wasn’t a pleasant place. It was littered with the rejects from what many would consider reality. One had to tread carefully to avoid spilled potions and cursed trinkets that were there for the weak minded to seek out. Aimee had experienced an elevated burn potion which worked backwards. It induced the burns and she’d trodden in it during the summer, her flip-flop not providing enough protection for her foot. It was a quick trip to St. Mungo’s and an awkward explanation as to how she got such a burn but nethertheless it was healed. A pale scar marked where the burn had once marred her skin; that was all that was left of it.
Stepping around a puddle of non-descript potion, Aimee entered a square. Knockturn Alley wasn’t just an Alley. It opened out into a small courtyard before delving back into a rabbit warren of back roads and smaller alley ways. There were no small stalls today. There were no witches selling odd little drinks that were laced with poison or cursed jewellery that would Imperio your desired lover. It was actually empty and that unsettled Aimee somewhat. She smoothed down the skirt of her dress and looked around, gripping the skirt for a few moments before releasing it and smoothing it back down again. She stepped into the dim light of the square and headed towards the alley that would take her to her Herbology shop...she thought.
But quickly Aimee found herself lost and confused. She curled a piece of red hair around her finger and tugged at it, hoping to pull a bright idea from her head. She released her hair and turned around, looking behind her, hoping to hear footsteps. Aimee sighed and took her wand from the belt of her dress. She lit the tip, muttering “Lumos”, and held it high, illuminating the shadowy alleyway. She was alone. So somehow she had to find a way out. “I’m screwed,” Aimee whispered to herself, raising her wand higher only to find more and more darkness above.
by Guest Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:31 am
