"It should closely resemble the Wizengamot," said Hestia slowly. "We are seeking to fill seats now—"

"How lovely." Hermione tapped her quill. "The time?"

Hestia took a sharp breath. "Miss Granger, you were given a seat at the European Advisory Council. The Provisional Government's legal system is a separate affair—"

"You can't just name yourself a part of it," Jacobs hissed.

"Oh." Hermione brows rose innocently. "And how were the two of you given a seat at the table? By election?"

Before either of them could reply, the doors flew open. A chilly quiet descended as several members filed out of the room, casting a curious glance at the three of them as they passed by.

A vein throbbed in Jacobs' temple as he leaned into Hestia, muttering, "This is your problem. So handle it." He stormed off, turning the corner sharply and disappearing from view.

Hestia waited until the corridor was quiet. "The Council was torn on admitting you, Miss Granger. In fact, most were strenuously opposed."

Anger flared in Hermione's belly.

"You must understand," said Hestia quickly, "that we are speaking of a group of political and military elite here. Most of their careers span longer than you've been alive."

"Yes, and age clearly involved wisdom where the Justice Tribunal was concerned—"

"That's the very point." Hestia glanced over her shoulder before speaking again. "Great Britain stands to benefit significantly from your involvement in this Tribunal. France does as well, though to a much smaller extent. The other three countries gain nothing, and it took quite a bit of persuasion to sway them in your favor."

"You mean, none of the other countries have bloody stains to mop up."

"I won't argue with you there," said Hestia flatly. "In an ideal world, you would have been involved from the start. But involving you now was the best I could do."

"I see." Hermione inhaled sharply. She could appreciate Hestia's directness, at least. "Well, now that I've heard your position, you'll have to hear mine."

Hestia folded her hands and cocked her head. "You'd like a position in the Provisional Government?"

"No," said Hermione, lifting her chin. "I would like for Pansy Parkinson to be released at once."

"We're sifting through hundreds of cases from the Justice Tribunal. Most are being dismissed, so if the charges against Parkinson are as flimsy as you claim, I'm sure hers will be as well." Hestia's face was impassive as Hermione frowned at her. "Parkinson is considered a lower-level criminal. I can assure you that her treatment is quite humane—"

"Strange," Hermione cut in. "I would have considered Siobhan Selwyn the same, and she's dead."

Hestia's face clouded with something, and her gaze fell to her boots. "I voted against that," she finally said.

"Still." Hermione let the word hang between them. "Have you reviewed Pansy Parkinson's file, General?" The press to Hestia's lips gave Hermione her answer. "Once you do, I'm sure you'll see how baseless it is. I'd appreciate if you pulled her file — as well as the file of Daphne Greengrass. I wasn't able to find her name in the Prophet, but I'm sure she's being charged with similar crimes—"