Chapter 10
Weird Things

When Janice woke up the next morning, it took her about a few seconds to recall that she's now at home, not in Yap Ee Chian. This is so weird, coming back home to celebrate Chinese New year when I almost expect myself back in my dorm, Janice thought. She took a glance at her radio clock by her bedside and realised that it was actually noon. It was then did she recall that the moment she stepped into her house, she had been telling her parent's about Yap Ee Chian until Lily had to scream at her to stop. Janice could never forget that look on Lily's face whenever Janice talked about Yap Ee Chian: Lily would turn into a brilliant shade of purple whenever Janice breathed a word that had something to do with magic. It was as though Lily expected Janice to turn her into a cockroach. Smiling at the thought of Lily transfigured into a cockroach, Janice slowly climbed out of bed and went to the toilet.

***

During brunch, while Janice was busily chomping her breakfast away (cereal with cold milk), Lily would be talking loudly about how their house is full of weird people and they ought to hire a priest to exorcise them. Knowing Lily's temper, Janice merely kept her cool and continued to eat her breakfast while hearing Lily talk about the cost of hiring a priest to exorcise the 'freaks'.

After brunch, it was almost time to meet Landy at the Annex. Janice quickly changed into her long forgotten clothes and rushed out.

***


"Sorry I'm late." Janice panted the moment she met up with Landy.

"It's okay. Besides, I've got something to read while waiting for you, so it isn't that bad," Landy said, holding up her copy of Artemis Fowl. (A/N: Go read that book, I heard it's marvellous)

"Artemis Fowl? " Janice said blankly.

"Gosh, Janice, has being appointed as a Slayer made you forget about muggle books? Critics all over the world critically acclaimed it! In fact, this book had often been compared to Harry Potter! " Landy said breathlessly.

Mumbling something about being busy, Janice merely beckoned towards Landy to start their shopping spree.


Three hours later, clutching their purchases proudly, they went to Starbucks for a drink and to rest their cramped legs. It was heaven for them, sipping their frappucinos while watching the world passed by before their eyes.

"Well, now that we've solved the problem of buying our clothes, I suppose we could go to Border's now? " Landy said hopefully.

Since they had already bought their clothes, Janice saw no reason to object. " Well... since we've bought our clothes already, I don't see why we shouldn't," She said slowly. Before Janice could continue, Landy was already heading towards Borders.

***

It was already eight at night when Janice reached home. Her arms and legs were screaming with protest with the clothes she was holding and the distance she had walked. Gosh, my legs felt like lead, she thought. Dumping her purchases on the couch, she went to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat, but there was nothing on the dining table. Janice guessed that her mother must still be in her office. (Mrs. Chan works in a law firm.) Seeing that her father was also still not back from work, she couldn't help but sighed aloud. Instinctively, she took out a packet of instant noodles and decided that that would be her dinner for the night.

"So...someone's eating instant noodles, eh? "

Turning around sharply, it turned out to be Lily standing on the kitchen doorway, smirking. Faking a concerned voice, Janice merely replied. "What do you think? Do I look as though I was going to create a Polyjuice potion? "

"The only thing I know is that you are not allowed to do any magic outside school." Lily replied coolly.

"I think you forgot that your darling sister is a Slayer." Janice said sweetly, as she took out some chicken from the freezer. Janice could have sworn with everything she possessed that Lily turned ten shades whiter. Knowing that she hit something, she continued. "You mean that you didn't know? I thought I told Mum about it last night, and you didn't hear it? Well, let me tell you now. Slayers are allowed to use a bit of magic outside, even students. Which can mean turning somebody we hate into an centipede, or even worse, a-"

Before she could finish, Lily had already dashed out of the kitchen. Grinning with relief, Janice continued with the tedious task of cooking her dinner.

***


For the next few days, Janice missed Yap Ee Chian terribly. Throughout the day, Janice could only think of life in Yap Ee Chian, with it's scrumptious meals and her bed in her dormitory, the potions dungeons, transfiguration classroom and most of all, she missed her training sessions, where she could sweat out all the stress she had in school. Luckily, Chinese New Year eve was approaching, as she could meet up with her relatives whom she had not met for some time. Besides, she could also get some Angpows, as she was short of muggle money and she could also catch up with her cousins, which she was looking forward to.

Just as she was twiddling with her wand, there was a flutter outside her window. Looking up, she almost shrieked with joy, for it was an owl, which meant that she's got mail! She quickly dashed to the window and brought the owl in, which was perched on the window grilles. She quickly detached the piece of parchment tied on the owl's leg and the owl took flight. To her horror, the letter was from Professor Orbanaz.

Dear Janice,

I have just been informed by the Department of the Magical Exams and Special Tests that your Test is scheduled on the Twenty-fourth of February, ten-thirty sharp, at the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom. I have already informed the rest of the group about the Test, so don't worry about that. Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year!


Orbanaz

Great. Just perfect. That wretched Test ruined everything. Janice cursed. She quickly kept the letter away and was about to try catching up some sleep when the phone rang. Cursing under her breath, she stormed into the living room, grabbed the receiver and practically barked "HELLO!? WHO THE-" into the receiver.

"Janice? Is that you? It's me, Lawrence." Lawrence said cautiously.

"Oh, it's you. What's the matter?" Janice said sheepishly.

"Did you receive the letter from Orbanaz? I just received it a few minutes ago. Do we actually have to turn up for the Test?"

"I received the letter too some moments ago. I think you guys might have to turn up for the Test, you know, because Orbanaz owled not just me alone, but to the whole gang. You get the idea?"

"Yeah... I think you might be right," Lawrence said dazedly.

Before he could continue, Janice interrupted. "Urm, Lawrence? If there are any other questions, can you owl me or call me later tonight? I'm totally zonked out." She replied sleepily.

Five minutes later, Janice was already on her bed snoring away.

***


All too soon, it was Chinese New Year Eve. That morning, as Mrs Chan took the day off to do their last minute shopping for their reunion dinner later, Janice decided to tag along with her mother to do the last-minute shopping.

"Are you sure that you want to come? I won't be doing much shopping, you know. I'll be mainly doing the marketing for tonight's dinner at the wet market, you know. Are you really sure?" Mrs Chan replied, when Janice announced that she's going with her mother to do the marketing.

"Yep, besides, Lily's gone to school, remember? Her school is celebrating Chinese New Year this morning. She will only be back in the afternooon, remember? " Janice said hopefully, as she finished her Soon Kway.

"Well, I guess so. Follow me then." Mrs Chan said, as she cleared the dining table.

It was only when she arrived at the wet market did she realise that she had missed out quite a number of things in the muggle world. She had only been out of touch of the muggle world for almost two months, but to her it felt like two years. The wet market seemed to be unusually noisy as everyone was rushing about to do his or her marketing. The wet market seemed to sell almost everything I could think of today, Janice thought, as she examined some Cherries ($1.50 per 100g) and some mangoes ($1.00 each).

Not only was the market noisy, the market is also especially wet and slippery. As she tagged behind her mother, who was bargaining with the fish monger for the price of a fresh snapper (Five dollars for this fish? Three dollars!), Janice couldn't help but notice that everyone seemed to be bargaining away, from the aunties in their late forties to the twenty-something ladies.

After Mrs Chan had finished with her marketing, both of them went to have their breakfast. Janice, who was complaining most of the time of the vegetables she had to carry, was relieved to be able to settle down and have her breakfast. After breakfast (Prawn mee soup), they quickly went home, as they would have to wait for Lily to come home and take the foodstuffs they had bought to Janice's grandmother's house, as all of Janice's relatives would be having their reunion dinner at her grandmother's house.


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