Minerva knocked on Albus's door. The Ministry had just left his room after another meeting with him.
She suspected they weren't happy with him. Minerva didn't like that they kept coming to the school.
The door opened and Minerva was greeted by the tired face of Albus Dumbledore.
"Minerva," he says. "Is there something I can do for you?"
Minerva shakes her head. "I was wondering if I can come in? I needed to talk to you about something."
Albus nods his head and moves out of the way, letting Minerva into his office.
Albus shuts the door and Minerva smiles at him. "Did the Ministry want something?"
"They wanted to talk to me about-"
"Grindelwald," Minerva interrupts.
Albus nods.
"And I assume they weren't happy with you when they left?"
Albus is silent for a moment. "They want me to fight him, to kill him. I can't, Minerva."
Minerva looks at him in sympathy. She didn't know the history between Albus and Grindelwald, but she knew there was something stopping him from fighting Grindelwald. She felt bad for him, and she wanted to help him.
"I can't kill him," Albus repeats, his voice heavy.
"But I can," Minvera counters.
Albus looks at her in shock. "Minerva-"
"Let me do it for you, Albus," Minerva continues. "I can kill Grindelwald and end all of this. I know you don't want to fight him, but I can fight him. I can kill him, Albus." She gives a smile, a hopeful smile to try to show him that she meant what she said.
Albus looks into her eyes, not saying anything for a moment. Finally, he turns away. "No."
"But why," Minerva questions, the smile disappearing from her face. "He is hurting people, Albus. Grindelwald has ruined many lives."
"I know, Minerva, but-"
"But what," Minerva asks, getting angry. "You don't want to fight him, but you don't want anybody else to fight him?"
"It's not like that," Albus says, his voice full of sorrow. "It's complicated."
"Maybe it wouldn't be so complicated if you would tell me things."
"Minerva," Albus says, "you don't understand."
"No, I understand," Minerva says, her voice a mix of anger and hurt. "I understand that no matter what I do for you, I will never be good enough. I will never be in your inner circle. I will never be close to you like others are."
"Minerva," Albus tries, noticing the tears in her eyes.
Minerva backs away. "If you don't want me to kill Grindelwald, that's fine. But you will have to fight him one day, Albus. I know I'm not good enough to be in your inner circle, but at least take my words as advice. You can't hide from him forever. He will continue to hurt others. Grindelwald needs to be stopped, Albus."
And with that, Minerva turns away and leaves the room, leaving Albus alone.
Alone like always.