A groan escaped his lips as he grasped it firmly, positioning himself and trying once more to push it inside. Beads of sweat formed on his brow and Severus wiped them away with his free hand as his skilled hands worked at trying desperately to thrust it in.

"Miss Granger, this is utterly ridiculous. It is obviously entirely too big to fit." His voice was thick with frustration as he gave one last desperate push.

"Are you sure you're trying to put it in the right place, sir? After where you tried to put it last time, I'm beginning to doubt your capabilities…" It was obvious from her tone that she was growing weary and her eyes widened when she realised that her Professor would probably not tolerate being spoken to in such an impertinent manner.

"How dare you! I am more than capable of engaging in such activities! If anything, this problem is your fault!" There was a dangerous hiss to his tone as he snapped at her angrily. His mood was rapidly darkening and he was beginning to think that they would be best abandoning this mess altogether.

That was until he felt her place her hand over his and attempt to push it in herself. The feel of her hand relaxed him and he involuntarily attempted another thrust. A sigh escaped him as he allowed her to do all the work, watching with slight amusement yet the same frustration as she tried and failed to coax it in as well.

"This is by no means my fault, Professor, and I fail to see what has given you that idea. I suggest you try harder to make it fit or I will abandon this altogether and leave." Indignation was evident in her voice as she glared at him. How dare he blame her when they both knew that this was something they both needed to fix.

Severus had an idea then and wrapped his hand around it, moving it a few inches to the right and pushing in.

"Oh yes, Professor! That's the spot!" Hermione exclaimed loudly.

The immediate reaction was a collective sigh of relief as they both stared down at their work. Frustration urged them on and they hurried to completion, Severus finishing with a shout of triumph.

Hermione got up and pulled her school robe on almost immediately after they were done, entirely irritated by the whole ordeal.

"That is the last time I ever offer to help you do a puzzle, sir. Believe it or not, but you can be just as insufferable as you make me out to be."