Private message to Diggory

I have now managed three times to forget to ask in person, and thus am resorting to writing: I've a spare set of tickets to the St Mungo's gala; I had already secured mine, and then was given an additional pair. Would you be interested in them? ('No, thank you' is a perfectly acceptable answer, mind you; the evening is not the sort of thing a young man would necessarily find worthwhile, it consisting mostly of wearing fancy robes and making small talk whilst being fed inadequate food, and the value is mostly in laughing at people without them noticing. Still, should you know anyone who would like to attend -- your parents, perhaps? -- the tickets are yours for the asking.)

In benefits that might be more to your liking, the manager of the Holyhead Harpies has sent along a selection of tickets, two each for the remainder of the season's matches. I will need to make at least one personal appearance myself, lest it be viewed as a snub, and there are several others who would be happy to take them off my hands as well, but Quidditch is not my game; if the reminder would not be too painful, let me know and I will give you first pick of the lot.

You have seemed much more subdued over the past week or so, meanwhile; I hope the accumulated demands upon you have not been too taxing. I've chalked it up to the incipient holidays and to the demands of your studies, and I have not wanted to pry -- please do not think I am expressing displeasure with the quality of your work -- but if the difficulty is related to anything I can help with, do let me know. I am well aware the holidays are not an unalloyed pleasure for many, and if you are having familial or social trouble of the sort that money or influence can ameliorate, I am happy to supply either.

Likewise, if your classwork is troubling you, or if you need to carve extra time from your schedule to complete it, that can be arranged. (I cannot offer tutoring in all the subjects you are studying, but of the ones in which I am qualified, I would certainly be willing to help; while I enjoy our less directed discussions, do feel free to smack me on the back of a hand with a roll of parchment and tell me to stick to something that would be of more use to you.)