Disclaimer: Characters do not belong to me (my bank account wishes this was not so)
"Hermione, you've got that look again."
"Huh? What look?"
"Forlorn, wistful, call it what you will. You just look sad in general. Why? What are you thinking about?"
"Tom, I'm writing an essay on the political institutions of goblins in North America and the impact of total war on their development. Anyone would look 'wistful' writing something as dull as this."
"That would explain it perfectly if I did not already know that you find goblin politics utterly fascinating, though why is beyond me. Stop avoiding the issue. What is it that has you so glum?"
"Of course, nothing gets by the genius Tom Riddle. I'm just thinking, all right?"
"About?"
"My friends from back home. I worry about them, the circumstances I left them in were so dire. And I can't help but feel as though I'll never see them again."
"Oh."
...
"Why do you do that?"
"What?"
"Get attached to people, let them affect your emotions so strongly. Not only is it an easily corruptible weakness, but it seems to bring you undue amounts of distress."
"It's just like you to find fault with caring for people. I get attached to these people because they are good and my life is better for them. The happiness they bring me far outweighs any temporary sadness, because I love them."
"Oh right, love. Of course. How could I have forgotten that most important factor, that peerless evoker of ignorance?"
"You would do well to not underestimate the power of love, Tom Riddle."
"And you would do well not to overestimate it, Granger. Love is fickle and prejudiced, it divides and drives people apart."
"What are you going on about? How?"
"It is not offered to everyone equally, and that is how it separates. You may love your friends, and everyone is better for that, yet you withhold love from strangers, or people you dislike, and by doing so, you drive people away."
"Don't be ridiculous Tom. I don't 'withhold' love from anybody – everyone has the potential to love everyone else, but whether or not love develops depends on the circumstances."
"So even the vilest of criminals deserve a chance at earning your love, is what you're saying?"
"I don't know about that, it might be awfully difficult to love a politician..."
"Hermione."
"Ugh, this is a stupid, pointless conversation, all speculation and no fact –"
"Just answer my question."
"I guess, yes. It would be difficult, obviously, given the situation, but yes."
"Really? You truly believe it is possible for anyone to find love, despite their foulest of transgressions? What about cold-blooded, unrepentant murderers? Having selfishly stolen the lives of others, do they still deserve to be loved?"
"Well, yes, I'm sure someone could –"
"Could you love a murderer?"
...
"Your silence is telling. I've just remembered, I have a meeting with Professor Slughorn. I shall see you tomorrow in class, Ms Granger. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
...
"Oh Tom... I'm afraid I already do."
A/N: This piece was quickly thrown together, no editing (as a university student, I am rather adept at avoiding editing), and its author holds no love for it. Inspired by a fictitious conversation in the margins of calculus notes: "Could you ever...?" "... No. ... Could you?" "Already do."