How long was Snape a DE? was: Harry IS Snape!

[spotsgal]

No: HPFGUIDX 141126

> BTW, do we know exactly how long Snape was with the DEs?
>  
> Julie 
> 

Christina:

I'm assuming you mean do we know how long Snape was with the Death
Eaters before he approached Dumbledore.  We know he approached
Dumbledore before the Potters died (in 1981).  Snape graduated from
Hogwarts in...1978, I think, is the generally accepted year.  That's
just a little over three years, if Snape was recruited directly out of
school.  Although Draco Malfoy was made a Death Eater while just in
his sixth year, it does seem sort of a rarity.  The other Slytherins
are surprised that Draco is given a second thought by the Dark Lord. 
Zabini even points out Draco's age:

(HBP, Scholastic, pg 151-2)
"And you think *you'll* be able to do something for him?" asked Zabini
scathingly.  "Sixteen years old and not even fully qualified yet?"
.....
Crabbe and Goyle were both sitting with their mouths open like
gargoyles.  Pansy was gazing down at Malfoy as though she had never
seen anything so awe-inspiring.
(end quote- emphasis JKR's)

We know that, at the very least, Crabbe and Goyle come from Death
Eater families with plenty of support for LV.  The fact that they are
completely shocked by Draco's status in the organization shows, IMO,
that Voldemort wasn't recruiting kids the first time around.  Also, we
know his true motivations for giving Draco his task- punishment for
Daddy Malfoy's mistakes (fumbling the DOM situation, carelessness with
LV's horcrux).

I find it difficult to believe that one is qualified to teach at
Hogwarts just by completely the standard 7 year run at school.  I am
convinced that a year or two of intense research or an internship of
sorts would be required in the field of study, no matter how well the
applicant did on his or her school exams.  I also agree with Julie
(and many others)- I think Snape did mostly sneak-work and Potions for
LV, meaning he would have to have some additional Potions training
(although I suppose if you take into account the fact that Snape was
an intense studier *during* school, you could claim that he knew more
when he graduated than most of the advanced students).  I think
Potions is what got Snape into the Death Eater business in the first
place (I like to think that someone in his little Slytherin gang who
already worked for LV saw the Dark Lord's need for Potions expertise
and said, "Hey, I know a guy who is crazy at Potions...").

Actually, your question really made me wonder, how long was *Regulus
Black* a Death Eater.  Because really, he died in 1980 while in LV's
employ.  He was younger than Sirius, so the earliest he could have
graduated from Hogwarts was 1979.  Which brings up a whole other slew
of questions concerning the RAB issue, but that's for another thread.
 :)


Christina