Ethan and Ariana
Ethan was deeply engrossed in a book this evening, not paying much attention to what was around him. That was normal though. He was rarely fully focused on the world around him. He didn't care usually because the people that mattered were not bothered by the fact that he tended to be off in space or in his own head. That peace was disrupted though when he heard the booming voice of the headmaster throughout the castle, and his eyes widened as he leapt to his feet. He wasn't a prefect, no, but his first thought was still to defend and look after the younger kids.
That vanished though when he saw Ariana entering through the door, and he hurried to her. "Are you okay? Come, come on, sit down..." He led her to the couch, his eyes catching the Dark Mark and his body tensing, a flicker of mingled fear and protectiveness shooting through him.