Lockhart's incompetence

[sbursztynski]

No: HPFGUIDX 143212

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "quigonginger" <quigonginger at y...> wrote:
>
> 
> Ginger, who probably should have snipped more:
> 
> I'm going to throw in some text that I think shows that the teachers 
> did have a pretty good idea that they were just getting Lockhart out 
> of the way, rather than expecting him to solve anything.  All quotes 
> are from ch. 16 of CoS, American paperback.
> 
> When Lockhart enters the staffroom, "the other teachers were looking 
> at him with something remarkably like hatred.
> "Snape stepped forward.  
> "'Just the man,' he said.  'The very man.' (snip) 'Your moment has 
> come.'
> (snip)
> "'That's right, Gilderoy,' chipped in Professor Sprout. 'Weren't you 
> saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance 
> to the Chamber of Secrets is?'
> "'-well, I-' sputtered Lockhart.
> "'Yes, didn't you tell me you were sure you knew that was inside it?' 
> piped up Professor Flitwick.
> "'D-did I?  I don't recall-'
> (snip)
> Lockhart lookes around at his stony-faced colleagues.
> "'I- I really never-you may have misunderstood'
> (snip more dialogue and Lockhart leaves)
> "'Right,' said Professor McGonagall, whose nostrils were 
> flared, 'that's got *him* (emphasis JKR) out from under our feet."
> 
> End quotes.  
> 
> I snipped conversation that was more of the same, but it seems to me 
> that Snape took the lead and the others followed.  I don't think that 
> any of them had any hope save that he would leave the room and leave 
> them in peace.  As a matter of conscience, I'd think that if they had 
> any inkling that he would succeed, they would have offered some sort 
> of backup.
> 
> It doesn't say it in the text, but I think it's implied well enough 
> that we can pretty safely assume it, especially since Lockhart was 
> doing some serious backpeddling throughout as the others pressed him 
> further.
> 
> Back to Alla's original question about the adults in the series, I 
> wonder what would have happened had Harry and Ron approached the 
> other teachers.  For some reason, and none that I can pinpoint, my 
> gut feeling is that they'd have had the best chance with Flitwick.
> 
> Ginger, who thinks it wouldn't have been as good of a story with any 
> other adult in the chamber.

Sue here,


Good point, Ginger. Anyone ever read Enid Blyton's mysteries as a child? Five kids and a 
dog ALWAYS solve the crime, while the adult, e.g. Mr Goon in the Five Findouters 
mysteries, looks like an idiot. It's not until the HP books start getting to be YA fiction that 
adults play more than basic supporting roles and even - in OOP - come to the rescue.

My guess is that Flitwick would probably have been kind to the kids if they'd spoken to 
him, but gently suggested that it was dangerous and they should stay out of it, IMO, 
anyway. He's certainly the one most likely to believe them, if anyone did.
>