The Wizarding World Geocache Series
"Upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689, wizards went into hiding for good. It was natural, perhaps, that they formed their own small communities within a community."
— The secrecy surrounding the wizarding world
The Wizarding World, also referred to as the magical community, is the society in which wizards and witches live and interact, separate from non-wizarding society. The two communities are kept separate through the use of charms, spells, and secrecy. Wizards and witches are forbidden to reveal anything about magic to Muggle society due to the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, but that does not mean that the two worlds live entirely apart.
Welcome to the Wizarding World
"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
Just around the corner from Diagon Alley lay this dark, twisting alleyway devoted to the Dark Arts. It is a place that children are not under normal circumstances allowed in, and with good reason. Not only are the wares sold here somewhat dangerous, but the wizards and witches hanging around behave sinisterly and suspiciously as well. From the shops and the street vendors one can purchase, among other things, shrunken heads, poisonous candles, human-looking fingernails, and Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent.
Knockturn Alley is not directly accessible from the Muggle world; it must be accessed by Diagon Alley, through the use of Floo Powder, or by Apparition. In the case of inexperienced wizards and witches, it is most advisable to look very carefully while in Diagon Alley to find the way to this place; shunned by all right-thinking wizards and witches.
Many must wonder why such a hot-bed of Dark magic is allowed to remain so close to the main mercantile center of Wizarding London. Would it not be better to eliminate it and the associated Dark enterprises? Likely it has not been cleaned up for the same reason that spymasters are allowed to stay in business when they are known — if you keep all your evil-doers in one place, it is much easier to keep track of them. But it still pays to be extraordinarily careful when visiting this location.
This is a Bonus Cache, available from Diagon Alley (GCAX598).