Paris graduated Starfleet Academy, and had a rank before being jailed. They don’t say it outright, but I think Janeway got Starfleet’s permission to commute his remaining sentence in exchange for being an “observer” on her ship. But even without being part of her crew officially, he was part of Starfleet again (uniform) so she had the power to promote (and demote) him at her discretion.
Janeway had the authority to promote Starfleet officers under her command, but not the authority to recruit new officers. Hence the “provisional” part. But the situation required it so all the Maquis she integrated wore those alternate pips until Starfleet could ratify and approve them (most, if not all of which, they did.)
Seven: “Ensign Kim suggested that I acquaint myself with the musical works of a group known as Evanescence. I want to… wake me up inside. But I cannot wake up until someone saves me from the nothing I have become.”
Me when the weather app says 80% chance of rain, so I go everywhere with an umbrella but it’s overcast all day long. Then it says 15% and I get rained on while walking to the store.