Lockhart's "mission"

[melclaros]

> > 
> Not in so many words, but it's definitely implied in Alan Rickman's 
> and Maggie Smith's behavior during the scene.  There's a definite 
> subtext of "We know you've been blowing smoke this entire time, and 
> do, and they knew it.
> 


Maybe I'm just a sarcastic misery but how else could one interpret 
Snape's comment to Lockart "it appears your moment has come" even if 
you HAVEN'T read the whole scene in the book? It was patently obvious 
with just that (although I REALLY missed "The very man!") but they 
let Snape continue pushing Lockhart's buttons by saying..."Yes, 
didn't you say you knew where the entrance to the chamber is...? etc" 
while pinning him with that Snapey, snide, sidelong glare. I can't 
imagine anyone honestly thinking Snape was sending Lockhart on a 
serious mission of any sort! Not even to pick up fizzing whizzbies 
from Honeydukes!

Melpomene