Alright, this is the third and final chapter of Let's Call The Whole Thing Off, and you know what that means: now I have no excuse not to be writing TMBTM and/or Two Birds. We'll see how that goes. For now though, here's my attempt to placate you.

- Lorraine

CHAPTER 3

You may or may not be surprised to know that Lily was the one who cracked. Though she had initially agreed with James that they fought too much to really enjoy the relationship, now that they're parted ways, she even missed the arguing.

It had been two weeks since that faithful morning, and James and Lily hadn't even had a conversation that didn't involve schoolwork, Head duties, or passing some condiment or other down the Gryffindor Table. And now Lily didn't even have the luxury of that brief contact, since Hogwarts students were now home for the winter recess.

It was three days before Christmas, and all Lily could do was sit in her bedroom and mope, cursing herself for having such a fiery temper, and hoping that this heartbreak wasn't what James had been suffering since third year. If it was this bad, she thought, he's a lot stronger than I gave him credit for.

On Christmas Eve morning, Lily was artfully arranging the six varieties of cookies she'd made with her mother, listening to various Christmas albums. Mixed in amongst the Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Eartha Kitt was a non-Noel themed collection: The Best of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Lily had grown up with this music, and she found herself singing along to one of her all-time favorite songs: "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off." Despite its seemingly depressing title, Lily thought it was one of the best love songs ever written, because it gave a realistic picture of relationships: even people in love often disagree. As Ella and Lily reached the turning point of the song, the redhead found tears dripping down her face.

"But oh, if we call the whole thing off, then we must part. And oh, if we ever part then that might break my heart… So if you like pa-jam-as, and I like pa-jaw-mas, I'll wear pa-jam-as, and give up pa-jaw-mas…. For we know we need each other, so we'd better call the 'calling off' off. Oh, let's call the whole thing off…"

And before she could notice that she'd partly soaked the top layer of chocolate crinkles with her crying, Lily Evans Apparated to Potter Manor.

She found herself in the foyer of an elaborately decorated house—more like castle, she thought—and immediately cursed herself for being so impulsive. Before she had too much time to ponder this, thought, a small creature that Lily took to be a house elf scurried into the hallway. Though the elf was clearly startled to find a splotchy-faced ginger in her family's house, she came forward and politely introduced herself in a squeaky voice.

"Hello, Miss! Mopsy is very pleased to make your acquaintance, and welcomes you to Potter Manor. Miss must be a dear friend of Master James or master Sirius if Miss knows how to transport herself through the enchantments. Shall Mopsy fetch the young sirs? Or perhaps Miss would like a handkerchief while Mopsy fixes her some cocoa? Mopsy does not mean to offend Miss, but she looks most unhappy," the elf finished, looking sympathetically at Lily.

"Oh, Mopsy, I'm dreadfully sorry. How rude of me to Apparate inside the house without even announcing my presence. And I must look a fright," she dithered. "My name is Lily Evans, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

For some reason, the elf's eyes widened when she mentioned her name, and Mopsy smiled brightly. "Miss Evans! Oh, yes, Mopsy is hearing much about Miss Evans from Master James. Master James is very fond of Miss Evans, and so Miss Evans is most welcome!"

Lily had blushed at the mention of James having said nice things about her, but she was beginning to second-guess herself. "Oh, thanks ever so much, Mopsy, but I think maybe this was a bad idea. I'll just leave now. Happy Christmas!" she turned to go, and then added, "No need to tell, er, 'Master James'—"

"—that you were here?" A familiar voice interrupted, and its owner stepped out from a doorway down the hallway. "Hullo, Lily Flower," said Sirius Black brightly. "It's lovely to see you. I'd let you go, but I'm sure Prongs would want to see you, and if I'm not mistaken, I hear his big feet stomping this way as we speak." He winked at her. "Mopsy, would you help me frost the Buche de Noel for Mama Potter? I always get hopelessly distracted when there's food around."

"Master Sirius is a bad, bad boy! Mopsy doesn't know why Mistress trusts him to do anything at all!" said the elf in a lovingly exasperated way, leading Sirius back into the kitchen and leaving Lily alone once again.

"What's he done now, Mops—Lily?" James' voice came from her right. "What are you doing here?" he asked, coming to stand in front of her. She smiled weakly. "Oh, sorry, that sounded a bit rude… I just meant… I wasn't expecting to see you." James was still looking at her as if she were a strange marsupial in his hallway.

So, she blurted: "James, I'll wear pajamas if you want me to!" Now he gave her an even stranger look, so she thought she'd better explain. "In stead of pa-jaw-mas, that is."

"Lily, what…?"

She wasn't explaining herself very well, apparently, so instead she hugged the boy, crushing her small body against his taller one and hoping he'd never let go.

"I'm sorry, James. For not making sense, and for arguing with you about your pranks, and for kicking your mates out of the dorm, and for not liking Quidditch. Our fights aren't the best art of our relationship, but they're far better than nothing."

"And the make-up sex is excellent, right?" called a voice from behind them. James shot a quick hex in Sirius' direction and was pleased to hear the thump of a limb-locked body hitting the kitchen floor.

"Well, Lils, I can't say that I disagree with you, but what brought on this sudden urge to tell me?"

"Oh, it was just a song I heard. The point is, James, that being apart from you breaks my heart. I know now that I need you in my life, so… I think we'd better call the 'calling off' off."

"You mean no more hiatus?" he said, grinning.

"To-may-to, to-mah-to," she said, and then she kissed him.

The end! Whatchoo think?