Chapter Text
"This," Tom Riddle began slowly, his rich baritone drenched in barely restrained disgust, "is excessive."
His broad smile only widening at the derisive tone, Harry Potter chirped cheerily. "I think it's quite nice, actually."
"Harry." Tom exhaled deeply then gesticulated gracefully. "There is far too much orange in a single place."
He does have a point... kind of, Harry conceded silently. Outwardly, he only continued to beam at his best friend.
The Room of Requirement had been meticulously shaped by Tom's impeccable imagination and will. It was now the perfect replica of a wide clearing deep within the Forbidden Forest. If Harry didn't know any better, he would have thought they had sneaked out of the castle and were actually in the dark woods.
The glade was rendered even more surreal because this Samhain night was entirely moonless.
The only light came from the dozens of large, bright orange pumpkins which had been fastidiously carved and fitted with a large, lit candle. The pale golden radiance streamed out of the triangle-shape eyes and grinning mouths, casting the clearing in flickering lights and capering shadows.
Naturally, all of these pumpkins had been Harry's sole contribution.
The smaller youth offered a careless shrug as his grin softened. "It's not too bright. And, besides, your terms were ‘no ridiculous muggle traditions in our Samhain celebrations'. Pumpkins are traditional and hold a great deal of symbolism. Most of all, I had no other choice because there weren't any large turnips I could use. You know the Room of Requirement's limits. It can't create food and will just substitute what it can find within a certain range. We also both know that Hagrid only raises pumpkins."
"I have to say I am impressed you actually did your research," Tom drawled. "So, you actually know that the original vegetable for this was a turnip and not a pumpkin."
"You know me, I go all out for these sorts of things." Harry smirked.
"Yes, all out to frustrate me," Tom snorted elegantly.
"Naturally, Riddle. Someone has to keep you on your toes."
"Quite. Shall we begin our rites?"
Harry nodded briskly. "We shall."
Together, they stepped inside and sealed the single door behind them.