EPILOGUE:
"Mackenzie." Draco Malfoy happily greeted his friend, surprised by her appearance at his front door the day following the end of their trial and altercation.
Mackenzie wrapped her arms around the man's neck.
"Good morning Draco." She let go of him and stepped back a half foot before he shifted to the side to allow her inside of his home.
"I've only come for a minute Drake." She politely refused his offer to enter the home. "I thought I would come and thank you as a proper friend for what you did yesterday. That was the best thing you could've ever done for me Draco." She smiled.
Draco shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose so." He then leaned against the side of the door frame. "Especially seeing as I am also in love with someone else." He smiled brightly as she did the same.
"You are" Mackenzie tried to make her shock sound less artificial, knowing all along that Bailey would do exactly what she needed without once knowing that it was all Mackenzie wanted for the two. "Who? You never told me you were seeing anyone."
"Draco stayed quiet, giving a sly smile.
"You must tell me."
"I cannot believe how happy she really makes me. Once I resigned myself to giving you up, I let her in, and…wow Kenny. She's amazing. Hearing you talk about you and George throughout the proceedings made me realize just how easy it was to fall in love with her, and that I had."
"Who Draco? Who? Tell me." Mackenzie insisted.
"Draco." A female voice came from behind him.
"Whoa." Mackenzie breathed, seeing the familiar face beside the blond, wearing what appeared to be his dress shirt. "You and Draco. That's absolutely lovely Bailey." She smiled at her friend.
"Kenny, I wanted to tell you." Bailey looked to be as stunned as a kid caught in the cookie jar.
"S'alright." She tilted her head in amusement. "I kind of already knew. Well, hoped for the best actually. I'm happy for you." She hugged Bailey. "Both of you." She said to the pair before saying goodbye.
SIX MONTHS LATER:
Mackenzie Weasley was once again sitting in Malfoy Manor, spending her time talking and playing video games with her friend Draco Malfoy. The two had become much closer in the last six months without the secrets stuck between them. Mackenzie was not nearly as close to Draco as she was to Harry, but they were close. She enjoyed spending time with Draco every few days as they stayed in or ran around town shopping or eating together. Now however, the two were nearing the end of a very interesting conversation. It didn't help that when Draco had offered Mackenzie a butter beer upon her entrance into the parlor, she'd refused claiming she couldn't. She had unintentionally started this conversation, gaining a curious look from her friend, refusing to acknowledge it until he pushed the "issue" further. He caught on quick enough without her having to say anything however.
"Bloody Hell Kenny! You're pregnant." Draco sat happily stunned across from her, smiling. "When did you find out? How did this happen… well, I know how it happened, but …Kenny, this is fantastic news. Why aren't you happier?"
Mackenzie winced a bit. "I'm thrilled about this news Draco. I am. I just found out yesterday from the medi-witch. And yeah, when you spend six months acting as if you're still on your honeymoon, something like this is bound to happen." She smiled then, but returned her expression to one of warning. "Don't you say a word to anyone. Not even Bailey. I haven't even told my husband yet, and I want to tell him and the family tonight. Are you still going come?"
Draco "Christmas Eve at George and Mackenzie Weasley's home…we wouldn't miss it for the world Kenny. Bay and I will be there at six sharp."
Mackenzie's ultimate purpose for her visit to Draco so early in the morning was to confirm the plans for Christmas Eve dinner and how many she would be hosting at her house. She said goodbye to Draco, telling him she had plenty to keep her busy into the late hours of the afternoon before she would see him again. Leaving his house, she immediately set to preparing for the evening's festivities.
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With the family all together, children excitedly running around, and everyone excitedly talking about work, jokes, and new possibilities for their futures, Mackenzie happily allowed Molly to help her finish cooking dinner for so many. Charlie had come from Romania, bearing an armful of gifts for his family, including a Dragon's eye for Mackenzie.
"It's beautiful." Mackenzie hugged him tight after opening the small box.
"It's not a real Dragon's Eye." Charlie told her. "That's just what they call it over there."
"I know." The woman smiled, holding the stone tight in her hands. "But there are so many perfectly beautiful colors in it."
"You're welcome sis."
Fred and Lilah had shown up to their siblings house next, even before Molly and Arthur, which was a shock to Mackenzie when she and George had greeted them out of the floo, gone to finish up setting up around the house and backyard, and then stepped into the scene of Fred undressing his girlfriend on George and Mackenzie's sitting room couch.
"Oh dear Lord!" Mackenzie shielded her eyes into George's chest as she swore she saw Fred's bare ass somewhere in the mix of discarding clothes and bare flesh being shown. "I should know to knock in my own house." She said.
George and Mackenzie both walked out of the room and down the hallway a few feet, gathering their breathing to normal, and resisting the desire to take hot pokers to their eyes. It wasn't until they heard the other couple laughing hysterically that Mackenzie and George cautiously re-entered the room.
"Are you clothed?" George questioned, walking into the room with his eyes closed first.
"Yes of course." Lilah said.
"Of course they're dressed." Mackenzie sarcastically returned. "Because why wouldn't they be fully clothed?" She gave Lilah a sardonic look. "Ever the exhibitionist darling?"
"You're one to talk." Lilah replied. "That's the only reason we simulated this fun little event here. Fred complained about having to so often see you two involved in intense scenes of public affection. He wanted a bit of revenge, and I was only too happy to help him."
Mackenzie giggled. "Simulated sex? Wow, you two must be wild when you're not simulating then."
The four laughed.
"That reminds me Fred." Mackenzie walked over to where her Christmas tree stood. "This is for you." She picked up a wrapped present as Charlie re-appeared in with the couples.
Fred ripped into the paper and stood confused, looking at the present his sister had given him.
"It's a clock." He said
"Way to call it captain obvious." Lilah quietly said. She and Mackenzie chuckled.
"It's to give you a better sense of timing Fred." Mackenzie explained. "You're so desperate to stop catching your brother and me during our more entertaining encounters, so this should help you."
George stated to chuckle quietly before he and Charlie were roaring with laughter. George went to explain the significance of the gift and the exact reasons. Charlie was ever grateful now that he lived far away from either couple.
Once the remaining family members had arrived, gifts were exchanged, future predictions and wishes were made, and of course the drinking went on. Mackenzie stuck to water. She was just explaining to Molly the scandalous stumbling she and George had made on Fred and Lilah earlier in the evening. This time, she was laughing as she told the events. Molly however, did not seem pleased at all. She immediately reprimanded Fred while Lilah stood beside Mackenzie.
"George and Kenny have had sex in your house, Harry and Gin's house, Ron and Hermione's, their own house, and I'm sure plenty of other places." Fred argued with his mother about the appropriateness of shagging outside of your own home.
"I don't worry about them." Molly gave a sort of unconvincing look briefly. "They're married."
"So? Lilah and I will be soon too." His eyes went straight to Lilah's in hopefulness. He gave a slight smirk and winked.
Both Lilah and Mackenzie's jaws dropped. Molly had since thrown her hands into the air over the argument, but stood equally as shocked in place, hoping for another wedding to plan. George was grinning beside his brother.
As soon as Mackenzie recovered, she shook her head and furrowed her brow at Fred, slipping her arm around Lilah's shoulders. The two turned away from the men, attempting to walk out of the room.
"Wow." Lilah sighed.
"Yes. As if that's a proper way to go about a proposal." Mackenzie commented loud enough for the men to over hear. "I mean at least George had a ring and got down on his knee."
Lilah giggled.
"You mean like this?" The two women heard Fred say.
The women turned, their jaws dropped again.
"I had planned on doing this away from the family later tonight, but this is a perfect time too." Fred continued, kneeling in the kitchen, facing Lilah who stood in the doorframe, unable to move.
George walked over to his wife, holding her to him as she smiled up at him.
"Did you know about this?" She questioned him.
He was just about to answer when the door rang again.
Mackenzie went to answer the door, happy to see Draco and Bailey standing together.
"Happy Christmas." Bailey said, hugging her friend.
Draco was ready to say the same when a high pitched squeal let out from the kitchen, reaching the door within milliseconds.
"What the hell?" Bailey asked.
Mackenzie stayed calm, but smiled. "Fred just proposed to Lilah. That was Molly. She's thrilled."
Bailey smiled and the two girls were off to greet their friend who had obviously said yes to Fred's proposal.
Draco entered into the kitchen a moment later after setting gifts onto a nearby table. He stood beside George. The two acknowledged each other with a greeting of 'Happy Christmas'. As well. They watched all of the women gather in together as Hermione and Ginny rushed in to see what the commotion was about.
"That's just great." Draco said. "Another Weasley will marry one of the most beautiful women on the planet."
"And what am I?" Bailey challenged, hearing the clearly facetious comment.
"You," Draco wrapped his arms around her, "are the most beautiful woman to have the Malfoy name. You are my gorgeous wife."
Bailey smiled and nodded before kissing her husband.
Mackenzie rejoined her husband as she watched Bailey and Draco together. She was ecstatic to be able to witness first hand what Bailey had done for Draco. Coming out of hiding with Bailey had done wonders for the man. More people now respected and admired him for all of his choices. If a pureblood like Draco Malfoy could marry Bailey, a pure muggle, then there was hope for the world yet.
"And you," Draco's attention turned to Mackenzie as he knew she watched over him and his wife. He walked over to her and kissed her cheek. "You are the most beautiful woman to almost bear the Malfoy name."
"Almost my arse." George spoke from beside his wife.
He and Draco laughed.
"True." Draco agreed. "There's no doubt we would've ended up battling and divorced by now anyway." Draco told. "I couldn't to someone who did what Mackenzie did during the trial six months ago." Draco's arm slipped around her waist, subtlety poking at the side of her stomach. "If I hadn't caved, then you still would've won. And if I had to deal with that kind of debating everyday for the rest of my life, I'd go mad."
"Yes." Mackenzie agreed. "Only one man in this world can handle me without wanting to jump off a bridge." She smiled at George as Draco let go of her and George pulled her to him.
"Yes. That is too true."
"Not to mention that she then willingly took on the case to convict Scrimgeour after Minister Chase was enlightened to the shady acts that he'd completed." Harry mentioned, joining into the conversation as he entered the kitchen with Ron and Percy, who smiled when he saw Mackenzie again.
"Right." Percy said. "Your dad said that he was quite impressed with your ability to easily jump in to defend Scrimgeour for murder, sedition, and all of the other charges when it was offered to you."
"Easy?" Mackenzie questioned Percy. "No." She shook her head. "It was far from easy. But I needed the experience. The case was hopeless. He was going to go to Azkaban no matter what I said or did. But I made a point not to intentionally lose the case. I didn't mind losing because it was expected, but I couldn't see myself not taking the case."
"And now she is one of the top hired attorney's for the Ministry of Magic." Ron matter-of-factly stated. "Way to go sis."
She smiled. "Actually, I might be taking some time off pretty soon here." She said, shocking everyone into silence. She loved her job dearly, and loved working so closely beside her father most days, so she knew the news would not go smoothly.
"What do you mean you're taking time off?"
"Are you quitting?"
"What will you do?"
Questions jammed at her from all sides, including from George who was in the most shock.
"Well," Mackenzie started again. "I just think that it might be kind of difficult to run around a crowded courtroom day to day while I'm seven, eight, or nine months pregnant. No one wants to be defended by a woman who looks uncomfortable and is as irritable as a grizzly bear."
Silence again before shouts of surprise and happiness were made. Everyone in the room hugged Mackenzie and George. George then pulled his wife into the hallway.
"You're having a baby?" He questioned.
She smiled and nodded to him. "I am having a baby. I am having your baby George Weasley."
George had no words. He was too happy to speak.
"We have so much to celebrate tonight." Molly bustled past the overjoyed couple. "Fred getting married, George having babies…oh my…oh my… such happiness to celebrate."
The couple laughed. "Wasn't aware that you could have babies George." Mackenzie said.
George chuckled. "Yeah. Me neither. Should be an experience."
The pair rejoined their family and celebrated well into the night and early hours of the morning. Life had changed, it continued to change, and through it all, George and Mackenzie Weasley held on to their own reality.
Fin
A/N: That's it. I'm done. It's finished. Thank you all for reading and enjoying the story. I guess it's on to the next story to write. Look out for it.