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"Hermoine, this is impossible. These instructions are poorly written and completely indecipherable." he spat, throwing the book to the floor in disgust.

Hermione Snape suppressed a groan, surrendered her cup of Earl Grey to the side table, and sat next to her husband.

Retrieving the instruction booklet, she leaned into her husband, using the opportunity to place a small kiss on his wool-clad shoulder. "Severus, I don't see the problem. The pieces are all clearly marked. Look here," she said, pointing to a crudely drawn illustration in the manual. "the book suggests pounding these legs in with a rubber mallet. Do you have a rubber mallet?"

Severus glowered. "No, I am afraid I do not own any Muggle tools." Pulling his wand from his pocket, Severus raised his arm and began to murmur a spell.

"NO!" shouted Hermione. "We have to do this ourselves. No magic allowed."

"Why in Merlin's name not? If we do this the Muggle way, we will never complete it." he countered.

"Of course we will finish it. Alexandra will have her new toy by this evening. Now, you take this," Severus' lip curled with disgust as she handed him a water and glitter-filled sphere. "and attach it here." 'Here' being a small indention in a very large, green plastic circle. "I will work on getting these legs in."

"Fine." he conceded, taking the plastic sphere. "I still do not see why we cannot use a simple spell. This," he waved his hand at the obscenely bright pieces laying about the floor. "is a complete waste of time."

Curls flying, Hermione jerked her head toward her husband. "Severus," her tone was dangerous. "I have heard enough. Go on with you. I no longer need your help. If assembling a Muggle toy is proving way too difficult for you, I will finish the job alone. You have never been one for waving that particular wand before, so why start now?" He had the gall to look wounded. Hermione sighed and crawled over the ancient Axminster carpet to embrace her husband. "I wanted us to do a project together. A non-academic project. New parents are supposed to argue when putting together baby furniture. We never had the chance to do that. Alexandra's crib was yours, her high chair was Albus'.."

"Merlin knows how old that thing is." he muttered.

"What I am trying to say, is that I want to spend some time with you. We are so busy now with the baby."

He buried his face in her neck, placing small kisses behind her ear. "I can think of more productive ways to spend time together while the baby naps."

Hermione playfully swatted him away. "Enough of that. We need to finish this. Alexandra will be awake soon."

Sighing with defeat, Severus reached again for the plastic sphere, shaking it to watch the glitter dance. "This contraption..what is it called again? It is rather garish."

Hermione smiled in triumph as she successfully attached the fabric covered seat. "My parents said these things were priceless. Oh, and it's called, umm," she reached for the instruction booklet. "an ExerSaucer."