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Voyaging trends

Plot: the Hp gang go on a voyage to search out a horcrux-au story

Chapter 1- The suggestion. Sails at the ready!

The deck.

A mast.

Some Sails.

A ship. A SHIP? Really what was he thinking that old senile headmaster. Some members of the order and a select few students (take a guess) to travel for a week on a banged up boat in search of a horcrux was not Severus' idea of fun and certainly didn't sound safe. But then when had safety ever played a part in the mind of the old coot.

Flashback

"Ahh yes Severus, come in. Lemon drop?" the headmaster was grinning happily in his seat from behind his desk with the usual yet comforting twinkle in his eyes which almost guaranteed trouble.

"No thank you headmaster. I believe you called me here to discuss something of importance." Severus took a seat in the chair in front of the desk while rejecting the lemon drop.

"well as you know we are currently in search of the horcruxes and they all need to be destroyed in order for Harry to defeat Voldemort. Well Harry had a vision last night and-"

"Albus I care not for your golden boy's dreams- the dark lord could be manipulating him for all we know"

" But Severus this time I am sure! The dream revealed the location of one of the horcruxes!"

At this the potions master practically jumped out of his seat.

"Thats not possible Albus! The dark lord would never give away such a valuable piece of information. He doesn't even tell us, his faithful followers where they are hidden. How can you be so sure?"

"You will just have to trust me on this ,child. I know what I'm doing-but that is beside the point. Severus, we need to acquire a ship."

"A ship? Albus, why in Merlins name would you need a ship?"

"Well if we are going after this horcrux we are going to need a mode of transport."

"We? What-who are you taking with you?Where are you going? Do you even know the exact location and how long is this going to take? You do have a school to run"

"Oh it shouldn't take too long! Just a week at most. I do know the location because I once went there with my brother Aberforth. And in terms of we, I mean myself, Sirius, Remus, Moody, Harry, Ron, Hermione and you, of course"

Snape was shocked and leapt out of his chair- a flash of fire crossed his eyes.

"you-you...expect ME TO BE DRAGGED ALONG ON SOME POINTLESS EXPEDITION BASED ON A DREAM POTTER HAD IN SEARCH OF A HORCRUX FOR A WHOLE WEEK! OH AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE WITH THE TRIO OF ARROGENT GRYFFINDORs I DESPISE! NOT TO MENTION THE MUTT AND HIS WOLF"

"now now Severus calm down, it was merely a suggestion..." The twinkle in his eyes dimmed a little and forced the heated potions master to sit down.

Severus sighed and looked Albus in the eye.

"You do realise that if I am summoned anytime during the trip I would have a major problem with getting to the dark lord"

"yes I know"

"and that my slytherins need me especially with the dark lord recruiting at this time"

"I am aware of that too, my child"

" Most of the people you have chosen probably despise me more than anything"

"..." The twinkle was gone completely now and had been replaced with a sad downtrodden expression. Albus looked away.

Severus sighed again. He couldn't stand to see his mentor look so upset.

" When and where?"

The headmaster's head snapped up. The twinkle was back and bright as ever and full of hope.

"pardon?"

"I said when and where? The trip , Albus when will it be?"

"So you are coming?" it was like Christmas had come early for him.

"Well obviously..."

This time Dumbledore leapt up, pulled Severus to his feet and hugged him tightly.

"Oh Severus! You have no idea how exciting this will be. Well, all apart from the horcrux that is"

"we are still at war Albus. I hope this journey isn't for pleasure, otherwise I'm not-"

"No no my boy! It is of great importance . Your input is greatly appreciated!" He let go of Snape and smiled.

"thank you for agreeing, child"

End of flashback

Before having looked at the ship, Snape hadn't really known what to expect. He knew though that this was Not what he had expected at all.

The ship that now stood in front of him was completely wooden with a top deck and a lower level. There were three pairs of sails held up by three centre masts. Towards the very front of the ship was a seat with the wheel for steering and towards the back was a trap door that led to the lower level. It was a large ship designed for a whole crew of maybe twenty but for now would be used by just the eight.

"Hmmmm Albus just how much of this trip is going to be spent on this vessel?"

"oh it's for the whole time. We have to cross the sea and, Severus dear are you alright?"

Snapes face had gone completely white and he suddenly looked drained. His whole body had visibly tensed and he was starting to look quite faint.

"Severus, good heavens! Perhaps you should sit down- you look very pale"

"I'm fine..."he whispered looking very distant.

Just then Harry, Ron and Hermione caught sight of the two wizards and made their way towards them. They were all carrying their trunks and were dressed in muggle clothes as instructed. Snape himself was wearing a black-long sleeved turtleneck top with black trousers while Dumbledore wore a very odd looking floral shirt with green trousers. The group was standing on the pier just in front of the ship waiting to board.

"Professor Dumbledore! Hey where's Sirius, Remus and Moody?"

"They are just coming Harry"

"Oh I see that the golden trio managed to take note of the time for a change. What a nice surprise, of course this could only happen when about to embark on a life threatening journey that practically throws any regard for personal safety out the window" Snape glared at the three gryffindors.

"Severus, we are going to be together for a while, the least you can do is Try to refrain from sarcastic remarks" Albus said sternly.

"Yes Albus I would happily miss any moment to point out potter's obvious flaws"

"Yeah well at least Im not a vampire that lives in a dungeon" Harry mumbled to Ron.

"Harry!" Hermione hissed. " He may be able to hear you"

"Am I correct in thinking this is the hogwarts voyage?" Sirius said happily.

"Sirius!I'm so glad to see you"

Harry ran up and hugged him. Moody and Hagrid walked up to Dumbledore and Snape.

"So are you ready?"Remus and the other two were dressed in their normal attire.

"I certainly am Remus. And so is Severus here"

Snape scowled and Moody turned to the headmaster.

"Albus have you ever steered a ship before?"

"Once. I wasn't terribly good at it but I've done it once and I can do it again"

"if you need me to steer for a while I'd be happy to help"

"Thankyou Moody"

The headmaster turned to all of those present.

"Right if we are all ready, let's get started."

Hello everyone and Thankyou for reading (hopefully;)

So this is a story I'm going to work on based on a random idea I had about the Hp gang stuck together on a ship. Please do review and tell me what you think- its always so appreciated and really does make the whole thing more enjoyable:) the next chapter will be up soon!

Thankyou and on with the story...