The first place they went to was Lee's Robes for All Occasions, where they went to have their school uniform made. While their robes were being made, they checked out some dress robes that were for sale. Janice and Landy had some fun checking them out. There was one that had tiny silvery stars that twinkled (sixty warps) and one that actually changed colour whenever you walked (one hundred warps)
After buying their robes, they proceeded to Boarders Horizon, where they bought their schoolbooks, quills and parchments. After buying their books, they proceeded to Ingredients and Supplies, where they bought their basic potion ingredients and supplies. While the shopkeeper weighed their supplies, Landy, Mrs Chan and Janice took a look around the shop. Janice examined some unicorn horns (fifty warps each), essence of belladonna (five tresni per bottle) and self-stirring cauldrons (eighty warps each).
After coming from Ingredients and Supplies, they still had to buy their wands. On the way to De Souza's House of Fine Wands, they passed by Superb Quidditch Supplies, where a lot of boys around Janice's age were ogling at a broom on display (Look at it! It's the latest FireShooter Two Thousand and Two- the fastest racing broom ever). They quickly walked through the crowd, which was very difficult as there were a lot of people looking at the broomstick, and proceeded to De Souza's.
This shop was unlike any other shop they had gone to just now. The place was dark and very eerie and in Janice's opinion, seemed to tingle with some sort of secret magic force.
"Good afternoon." came a voice. Both Landy and Janice jumped. Right in front of them was an old man in his fifties. Janice guessed that he must be Mr de Souza.
"Erm, we are here to buy our first wands." Landy said meekly. Janice guessed that she must have been surprised at the appearance of Mr de Souza.
"Okay. So which is your wand arm?" Mr de Souza asked kindly.
"Well, I'm left-handed." Janice said.
"I' m right-handed," Landy mumbled.
Mr de Souza then began to take their measurements and afterwards, he took out a box and gave it to Landy.
"Here, try this. Cedar and unicorn hair. Thirteen inches. Swishy, Give it a wave." Mr de Souza said.
Landy took the wand and waved it slightly, but Mr de Souza took it away from her instantly.
"No, no, try this then. Teak and Unicorn Hair. Ten inches. Flexible. Go on."
Landy took the wand and when she waved it again, there were shots of red and gold sparks shooting out like fireworks. Landy was so shocked that she dropped the wand.
"Well, Miss, it seems that you were destined for this wand now. Now it's your turn now, Miss." Mr de Souza said, turning to Janice.
Janice was feeling very nervous now. What if there was no wand that could suit her? Would she still be considered a witch?
"Here try this, Miss. Maple with Dragon Heartstring. Whippy. Eight inches. Try it."
Janice took the wand from Mr de Souza and feeling very awkward, gave it a wave but Mr de Souza took it away from her instantly.
"Try this then, Ebony with Unicorn Hair. Nine inches. Go on."
Janice tried but again, the wand was taken away from her. This time, she got very worried. When was she going to find her perfect wand?
The pile of wands that Janice tried was mounting higher and higher on the counter but Mr de Souza didn't seem to mind. Instead, he seemed to be quite happy with it.
"Fussy customer, huh? Never mind. We'll see to that. How about this then? Rosewood with Phoenix feather. Twelve inches. Nice and Supple. Try it."
Janice this time could feel a powerful gust of wind blowing in her direction. When she waved it, red and gold sparks shot out just like Landy's wand, but the sparks took the shape of a Phoenix, which flew around the shop for a few minutes before disappearing.
"Wonderful! Miss, it seems that you have found your perfect wand. But curious, very curious..."
Mr de Souza took the wand from Janice and began wrapping it, still mumbling," Very curious, curious indeed."
"Sorry, but what's curious?" Janice asked timidly.
Mr de Souza whispered" This is a VERY powerful wand, due to the combination. It seems that you are extremely compatible with it. I think we can expect a lot of great things from you. I can only tell you that what's easy may not be right. Be careful with what you choose, Miss.
Janice didn't like the sound of that advice. She quickly paid for her wand and left the shop hastily.
Now that they had bought all their supplies, they decided to go home, as it was very late. However, with their heavy supplies, it would be too troublesome to take the MRT home. So Mrs Chan arranged for Mr Chan to take all three of them home, who had just knocked off from work and happened to be nearby. On the way back, all Landy and Janice talked about in the car was how their school would look like and how awesome Verctic Alley was. That night, when Janice got home, she was so tired that she fell asleep immediately without eating dinner.