Ari offered him a soft, sympathetic smile, though she couldn't really relate. She'd had no kids herself - but in fairness to her, she hadn't really had a lot of relationships that had even hinted in that direction.
"So, let them do the politicking," she murmured in response to him. "I can't imagine ..." She trailed off, and sighed, because she could imagine the Ministry doing something like this - letting one of their own slide into a position they had no business in.
"I'm sure there are sane people in the Ministry. People who aren't all about kissing arse, people who want to see the right thing done." She simply hoped those people could speak up loud enough to override this nonsense. Because really, that's all this was. Some sort of twisted dog-and-pony show, and to what end? So the Malfoys could suck a little pity when they lost?
Still, September first was a long way off, and Ariana had little doubt this would drag on all summer long. She sighed heavily before she rested her head briefly on Neville's shoulder.