Word Count: 696


Susan doesn't mind waiting. She knows her aunt has a stressful job, and she has seen the mountains of paperwork on her desk. Being the head of any department is a lot of work, but she imagines the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is on a whole other level.

Besides, Aunt Amelia is worth waiting for, so Susan sits quietly, dipping her apple slices in honey. It's a small snack, not enough to ruin her appetite, but enough to tide her over until dinner.

"How was school this year?" Aunt Amelia asks. "Your father says you did well in Defense."

Susan blushes. She already knows what her aunt is going to get at. It seems to be an endless discussion with them. Aunt Amelia expects Susan to follow in her footsteps, to become an Auror. "I also did tremendous in Potions," Susan says. "Even Professor Snape couldn't find anything to criticize."

Her aunt scowls at the name. She doesn't like Professor Snape at all. Then again, most people who aren't Slytherins tend to dislike him. Susan can hardly blame them. She gets along with everyone, but her professor is too much of a bully to like.

Before her aunt can respond, there's a knock at the door. A moment later, a man with a devilish smile and bright teal robes opens it and peers inside. "Ah! Milly! I didn't realize you had a guest." He nods politely at Susan. "I'm guessing you are the famous Susan Bones. Your aunt talks about you all the time."

Aunt Amelia clears her throat, eyes narrowing at the man. "Dawlish, shouldn't you be going home?"

Susan resists the urge to laugh. It's so obvious that Dawlish fancies her aunt. Poor bloke. Aunt Amelia is either horribly oblivious or doesn't feel the same.

"I was going to see if you wanted to have dinner with me," he says. "It seems that you have other engagements." He grins at Susan before bowing his head. "Maybe tomorrow, Milly."

With that, he's gone. Aunt Amelia returns to her paperwork as though nothing has happened. Susan giggles.

"What?" Aunt Amelia asks, brows raising as she dips her quill in ink.

"Nothing. It's just a cruel reminder that I'm single and likely to stay that way forever," Susan says with a dramatic sigh. "I know that no boy will ever look at me the way Dawlish looks at you."

Her aunt glares before rolling her eyes. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Aunt Amelia, please. He is obviously crazy about you."

"He's a coworker."

"A coworker," Susan says patiently, "who fancies you. Oh! Is he an Auror? How scandalous!"

The color that rises in her aunt's cheeks is too amusing. Susan covers her mouth to keep from giggling. Maybe her aunt isn't as oblivious after all; maybe the feeling is actually mutual.

"He is my polar opposite," Aunt Amelia insists.

"You know what they say. Opposites attract."

And maybe it's true. Her aunt is by the book, so concerned about order. Susan has only met Dawlish for all of ten seconds, but it's clear that he is much more free-spirited than her aunt. They both fancy each other, so it's just a matter of taking that leap of fate and embracing change.

Susan grins, dipping her apple in honey again before nibbling it. "I think you should have dinner with him," she says. "Not tonight. Obviously tonight is sushi with me. Maybe tomorrow?"

Aunt Amelia sets the quill down, studying Susan in silence for several long moments. Susan hates it when she does that. It always feels like those navy eyes can see into her soul.

Finally, Aunt Amelia shrugs. "You really want this to happen, don't you."

Susan smiles, leaning back in her chair. "I want you to be as happy as possible. He seems like a good bloke."

"I suppose he is." Aunt Amelia taps her fingers against her desk. "One dinner wouldn't hurt."

"Not at all," Susan agrees.

"Fine. I'll tell him tomorrow."

Susan beams at that. She may plan on one day opening an apothecary of her own, but maybe she could have a future as a matchmaker. Only time will tell.