It is inconceivable to Severus that a first-year Gryffindor is the one who defeated his living chess puzzle, created to fool even the finest of grand masters.

"Weasley," he says, board in hand, no possible room for mistaking this for anything but a challenge.

To his delight, Gryffindor foolhardiness prevails over any speck of wisdom: "e2-e4."