"I go home. Christmas with the folks. There's some Christmas Gala at the Ministry we have to go to." Same as every year and, in a way, of interest to Barty, but he already knew how awkward it would be as well. It was so strange, he knew everyone expected him to have an easy in at the ministry after school, with nepotism helping him out, but his father had made it very clear, repeatedly, that he wouldn't only not help him, but planned on actively keeping him from it.

Luckily Barty had had other ambitions by now, but he did know that any time spend in the ministry could still be worthwhile, whether for contacts or information. "What about you?"

No, he didn't really care, but he could endure small talk.