Authors Note: This is my first HP Fanfic, so I really hope it turns out well. Hope you guys like it! I know it starts out a bit slow, but I promise the later chapters will be better! Reviews are always appreciated and constructive criticism is always welcomed! Sorry! I had to make a few minor changes that I missed before uploading so if things look a little different I apologize.

The Broken Nightingale

Chapter one: The Serpent and the Songbird

Severus awoke one night with a sharp pain in his right arm, and hissed under his breath as he sat up. Cursing silently he gazed down at his arm and saw that the Dark Mark was indeed active. Dressing quickly in his usual black clothes and cloak he hurried out of the castle and off from the Hogwarts grounds. Once able he vanished in a cloud of black smoke that streaked upward through the blackened sky.

He arrived at a large, worn down mansion and passed through the main gates. Moving quickly up the pathway he arrived at the door and opened it. A smaller man, appeared before him and moved to close the door. He was short and fat, with a rat-like face and raggedy appearance. Wormtail as he was called, looked at Severus and quickly began to usher him down the hallway.

"The Master has something to show you...please go see him in the cellars." Wormtail said excitedly as they walked through the halls of the mansion. The Riddle House hallways were rather small for his liking.

Severus rolled his eyes. What was so urgent? He was feeling exhausted yet he refused to let it show. He hadn't been sleeping well lately and with the new school term starting soon he had spent the majority of his time preparing for that. However he knew that if he didn't come when the Dark Lord called it meant certain punishment, and he didn't feel like collecting more scars that what he currently had.

As they reached the cellar door Wormtail excused himself and scurried away, leaving Severus to descend the poorly lit steps. The cellar itself was a very large room, with shelves of wines and antiques lining most of the walls. There was also a large sitting area and fireplace nearby, and sitting in the center throne like chair was Voldemort.

"Ah there you are Severus...I was beginning to think you would not arrive. Please be seated. Lucius will be arriving shortly." He motioned for Severus to sit and not even five minutes after, he arrived.

"Ah, now that you both are here I have something quite interesting to show you. A certain...treasure I acquired on a short trip to America last summer...I think this will be a great asset to our cause..." Voldemort stood and glided to a nearby door, unlocking it he stood in the doorway.
Severus and Lucius watched as Voldemort motioned for whatever was in there to come out.

"Don't be shy...come, we have guests." He stepped aside and moments later a girl appeared in the doorway. Taking her arm he led her out to the sitting area and she stood beside his chair as he sat down.

She looked to be around seventeen, with waist length black hair, a delicate ivory complexion, and deep, ruby red eyes. Severus and Lucius looked at each other and then to Voldemort, who grinned as he made his explanation.

"This is Miss Alexis Stowecroft. She is a rather...gifted pure blood witch. You see, her magic differs from ours...while she can use a wand and whatnot, she can also cast magic without one. Coming from a long line of sorceresses, Miss Stowecroft here knows spells that we could only dream of. With her power we will surely attain victory over those that stand in our way. She has also, a very lovely voice. I do love it when she sings...my own little songbird. There is a certain power in her song as well. I think that may prove itself useful in time."

Alexis remained still, her eyes directed at the floor. Severus looked at her and then at the metal collar around her neck.

"My Lord, may I ask...what is that around her neck?"

"Ah very observant Severus...this is a special collar that prevents her from using magic until I wish her to do so. I would hate to see her escape and use her gift against us...after all, I had to...shell we say, silence many to get to her. I would hate to see all of my efforts be in vain. Now then to the matter at hand...I am afraid I must leave for rather important business with some followers in Asia and in South America. The reason I have called you two here is that I need one of you to watch her while I am gone. Whichever of you that takes her, will have control of the collar, and her. She is to do whatever is ordered of her without question. If you need to, punish her as you see fit...but do not damage her face...I do so love to look at it when I have her take care if me..." He grinned and for a brief moment Severus thought he saw a look of shame and disgust in the girls eyes at Voldemort's words.

Lucius stood and walked over to Alexis. He took his cane and used it to gently lift her head up and then he moved her hair from her face.

"I will take her, I think she would make a fine servant..."

Severus stood as well and interrupted. Clearing his throat he looked at Voldemort.

"If I may say my Lord, I think it would be wiser for me to take her. She can pose as a student at Hogwarts and while there I can keep a better eye on her...I assure you I will not let her step out of line. Besides, if we are to use her as a weapon, it would be a better idea if she were to see our enemies and learn more about them..." Voldemort nodded and waved Lucius away from Alexis.

"A fine point Severus. Perhaps it would be a better idea for you to take her. Have her get close to Potter...she will make a decent informant." He stood up and looked at Alexis, who had once again returned her gaze to the floor.

"My dear, until I say otherwise, you are now Severus' property. You will do whatever he asks without question. If you should disobey him you will be punished. Is that understood?" Alexis nodded and gave a small bow.

"Yes Master, I understand." Her voice was soft and timid. As she slowly walked over to Severus she made sure to keep her eyes down and bowed again, this time to him.

"Good evening..."

As Voldemort turned to leave, he stopped and without turning to them, spoke.

"Oh and Severus, Make sure she keeps her right arm covered...we wouldn't want our secret out..." With that he vanished, and Lucius did the same.
Severus quickly grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her sleeve back. The Dark Mark was branded to her arm, but not in the style of a tattoo like his...hers was burned on. He sighed, feeling a bit sorry for her, but that feeling quickly passed.

"Hold my arm and do not let go. We are leaving."

"Yes Master..." She held onto his arm and the two of them disapparated back to the grounds outside Hogwarts. As they slowly walked up the path to the castle, she kept three paces behind him and remained silent. She looked ahead at the castle and was amazed by it, wondering if it was anything like her school back home. She wanted so desperately to live a normal life again, but knew that wasn't possible. At least though, she would get to act like it...that was close enough...

The two of them reached the castle and entered through the massive doors. Awaiting them in the entryway was Albus Dumbledore. He approached them and looked from Alexis to Severus.

"I see you have brought a guest Severus. Come with me to my office we have much to discuss."

In Dumbledore's office Severus introduced Alexis and explained what had occurred at Voldemort's mansion. Alexis looked in shock. What was he doing? Wasn't this his enemy? She felt confused, and Dumbledore could see it.

"Dear girl, I think we owe you an explanation. but first, please tell me honestly...do you really wish to serve the Dark Lord?"
Unsure if she should answer she looked over at Severus, who asked her to answer.

"You will not be punished here. Answer truthfully please, Miss Stowecroft."

"I...I don't like it. I don't want to be his servant, but I am tortured if I don't do as I'm told. I just want my life back...I want my freedom...He is vile and abusive, it sickens me to be in the same room as him. He's made me do things that I can't even begin to describe..." Tears filled her eyes and Dumbledore patted her shoulder, offering her a tissue.

As she wiped her eyes she looked up at them from her seat and asked about what was going on.
They explained how Severus was working for Dumbledore as a double agent, and asked her if she too would aid them against Voldemort. Dumbledore assured her that no harm would come to her and she eventually agreed. If it meant her freedom she would do anything.

"Severus, if Miss Stowecroft is to be a student here, perhaps we should remove that collar from her neck. I dare say that must be very uncomfortable for her. Oh, and since there are a couple of weeks before the new term, why not take her to Diagon Alley in the morning and help her get what she needs for the new term." Severus nodded and kneeled down in front of her. He pointed his wand at the collar and uttered the spell to remove it. It fell to the floor with a clang and a small smile appeared on her face.

Alexis felt better already. She was happy to have that horrid thing off her. Good riddance to it.

"Severus, she will need a room as well...I believe there is a spare room across from yours correct? I will have the house elves fix it up and she can stay there until she is sorted into a house. Alexis, if you need anything let Severus know." Dumbledore gave her a gentle smile and Severus escorted her out of the office and down to the dungeons.

The house elves were already at work fixing up her room and told her it would be done soon. Alexis thanked them and suddenly her stomach let out a rather loud growl.

"I suppose you are hungry Miss Stowecroft?"

"Yes...I'm sorry Master Severus...I'm afraid I haven't eaten lately..." She felt a bit embarrassed and he sighed.

"While we are here I do not wish for you to address me that way. You are no longer a servant, Miss Stowecroft but should we be checked on you will need to act as though you are. For now you may address me as 'Professor' or 'Sir' is that clear?

"Yes Professor."

"Good. Come with me, we'll go to the kitchen and get you something to eat while we wait." Severus brought her to the kitchen where they were greeted by one of the many house elves.

"Hello Professor Snape! What can we do for you?" The house elf smiled.

"This young lady has been starved, would you please give her something to eat?" The house elf nodded and he took off to get a meal prepared for Alexis. She and Severus sat down at a small table and watched as the other house elves busied themselves with various chores. When he returned he had brought two others with him and they each had set large plates of sandwiches, desserts, and a very large bowl of salad in front of her.

"Please, eat as much as you like! No one goes hungry here!" The house elves smiled at her and Alexis thanked them, before starting in on one of the sandwiches.

"Professor? Are you hungry too? I don't think there's any way I could eat all of this myself..."

"I am fine thank you...and yes, they tend to get a little carried away, but they mean well." When Alexis had her fill (three sandwiches and two pumpkin pasties later) She thanked the house elves once again and she and Severus returned to the dungeons. She felt a lot better after finally having been able to eat, as Voldemort often starved her as a way to keep her behaved.

Her room was finally ready and she opened the door. Looking in she saw that it was a large room, but with simple, modest furnishings, which was fine with her. She didn't need much, she would have been happy with just a bed. Turning back to Severus, he bid her goodnight and turned to enter his own quarters.

"Professor?" Alexis watched as he turned to face her again.

"Yes Miss Stowecroft? What is -" Before he had a chance to finish speaking Alexis had hugged him. He wondered what on Earth this girl was thinking, and then he sighed and rested a hand on her head.

"Thank you..." This was all she said before giving him a small smile and returning to her room.
Still a bit stunned Severus stood there, looking at the now closed door. He silently asked himself what he had gotten himself into, and returned to his own room.

Alexis had crawled into her bed. It was soft, and extremely comfortable. Not even five minutes after he had hit the pillow she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.