More thoughts on the Elder Wand subplot - Owner?

[Carol]

No: HPFGUIDX 187401

jkoney wrote:
<snip> 
> Snape was a member of the DE's for a while. In order to be marked and to be in the inner circle he must have already performed dark/evil acts. I can't picture Voldemort just giving him a free pass.
>
Carol responds:

Not necessarily. We don't know how DE recruitment works, and the evidence (admittedly not confirmed) seems to indicate that Draco had a Dark Mark *before* he began his mission. Despite Snape's  many talents (potion making, dueling, Occlumency, and spell invention among them) we know of only one job he had as a DE, spying. If he didn't have a Dark Mark before he reported the Prophecy to Voldemort, he certainly earned one then.

Carol, noting that just spying on Dumbledore was taking a great risk (though not as great as spying on Voldemort)