Severus Snape the Serial Killer?

Severus Snape – The Death Eater Days 2

Introduction

In The Death Eater Days part 1, we’ll see the reasons that seem to have pushed Snape to become a Death Eater. Today, we will focus on the darkest time of his life: when he was Lord Voldemort’s servant.

Ironically, this is also the darkest time of his life because we know so little about it. How long was he a Death Eater, and most especially, what are the crimes of Severus Snape under the Dark Lord’s command? This is a particularly important question, because many assume Snape must have murdered and tortured and even raped to be a Death Eater, to the point of becoming Voldemort’s favourite, and that it would be another reason to hate him so much; but is there any evidence? 

This is what we’re going to see right now.

The rise and fall of a Death Eater

How long was he a Death Eater?

We don’t know. The only thing we can hypothesize is that Snape defected the Death Eaters as soon as around October 1980, judging by the leafless trees on the hilltop and the strong, howling wind.

Harry seemed to fly through shifting shapes and colors until his surroundings solidified again and he stood on a hilltop, forlorn and cold in the darkness, the wind whistling through the branches of a few leafless trees. 

That is, if we presuppose that this is happening in Scotland and not the South Hemisphere or something, that this isn’t a summer storm, that the wind and the trees weren’t tampered with magically, or that the trees aren’t already dead. You never know.

We also learn that before the Fidelius was used to hide the Potters a week before their death, they had gone into hiding thanks to a spy who tipped Dumbledore off, warning him that Voldemort was after the Potters. 

Not many people are aware that the Potters knew You-Know-Who was after them. Dumbledore, who was of course working tirelessly against You-Know-Who, had a number of useful spies. One of them tipped him off, and he alerted James and Lily at once. He advised them to go into hiding. 

We know of course that this is Severus Snape, who turned spy against Voldemort the same night. 

“You know what I mean! He thinks it means her son, he is going to hunt her down — kill them all —” 

We are told that a traitor–Pettigrew–had kept Voldemort informed of the Potters’ movements for a year, despite their efforts to hide.

“DON’T LIE!” bellowed Black. “YOU’D BEEN PASSING INFORMATION TO HIM FOR A YEAR BEFORE LILY AND JAMES DIED! YOU WERE HIS SPY!” (PoA)

The Potters died on the 31st of October 1981. If they have gone into hiding for a year from the moment Snape warned Dumbledore that Voldemort was after them, then it means that Snape has defected the Death Eaters most likely in October 1980, and not much later: enough to make it a year before the Fidelius was casted and the Potters were killed.

So that settles the end of Snape’s Death Eater Days, but what about the beginning?

People commonly think that Severus was a Death Eater starting from when he left school [1978], at 18 years-old, which would mean he was a Death Eater for two years… but we honestly have no clue about that. 

Let’s say that Severus worked for Voldemort at the very least from the moment he reported half of the Prophecy to Voldemort, which was made before Harry was born, meaning, before the 31st of July:

THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD WILL BE BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES…

We don’t know when he told Voldemort the prophecy–was it right after being thrown out of the Hog’s Head, as Dumbledore says? Or did Snape keep silent until October before telling Voldemort and realizing he’s just made the biggest mistake of his life?

We don’t know.

Dumbledore argues that Snape was a Death Eater before he even heard the first half of the Prophecy, and that Snape hastened to tell Voldemort just after being thrown out of the Hog’s Head:

“Professor Snape […] was still in Lord Voldemort’s employ on the night he heard the first half of Professor Trelawney’s prophecy. Naturally, he hastened to tell his master what he had heard, for it concerned his master most deeply.”

But remember that Dumbledore’s word is not one that we can fully trust: he’s well proven to be manipulative, especially regarding Snape’s story [“Professor Snape couldn’t bear being in your father’s debt… I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year because he felt that would make him and your father even” + But you know he does it for Lily, James was never brought up by Snape and he refutes the life debt’s very existence?? “There was nothing brave about what he did. He was saving his own skin as much as mine.” + “You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily’s son.”], and it’s possible to fool him in turn [thumbnail Prophecy + image of Barty/Moody]. Right then, Dumbledore could just as well be mistaken or assuming. 

If we take Dumbledore’s words at face value, then we can conclude Snape was a Death Eater for around 3 or 4 months. Further is merely assumptions.

However, if we deem that Dumbledore’s word is not trustworthy enough, then we don’t even know if Snape truly was a DE before hearing the prophecy, or if he told the Prophecy to Voldemort immediately after hearing it, let alone if it was by will rather than by force, mistake or necessity.

Which means, in turn, that if we consider the one thing that makes him a Death Eater for sure, regardless of Snape’s true intentions or the circumstances, is telling half of the Prophecy to Voldemort… then in a scenario where Snape tells the prophecy, immediately learns the Potters are the targeted ones and immediately seeks out Dumbledore, Snape could have been a DE… for mere hours only. 

Murderer, Torturer, Rapist?

Snape was a Death Eater, under the command of a murderous, psychopathic maniac. He had the Dark Mark. He even became at some point said maniac’s favourite, and managed to ask him a favour: to spare Lily Evans of all people. Surely he must have killed, tortured or even raped countless innocents to be such a remarkable Death Eater?

The same applies, of course, for Death Eaters such as Draco and Regulus. We even have, contrary to Snape, the confirmation that they truly believed in pureblood supremacy, the use of violent oppression and in general, were huge Voldemort simps [“But Master Regulus had proper order; he knew what was due to the name of Black and the dignity of his pure blood. For years he talked of the Dark Lord, who was going to bring the wizards out of hiding to rule the Muggles and the Muggle-borns … and when he was sixteen years old, Master Regulus joined the Dark Lord. So proud, so proud, so happy to serve…” + The Black family crest was painstakingly painted over the bed, along with its motto, TOUJOURS PUR. Beneath this was a collection of yellow newspaper cuttings, all stuck together to make a ragged collage. Hermione crossed the room to examine them. “They’re all about Voldemort,” she said. “Regulus seems to have been a fan for a few years before he joined the Death Eaters …” + “Too late now, Potter! They’ll be the first to go, now the Dark Lord’s back! Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers first! Well — second — Diggory was the f —”]. They were also close to Voldemort and bared his Mark with pride–Voldemort told Regulus about his Horcrux for heaven’s sake! Add to this that we know Draco wished sexual assault upon the “Mudblood” Hermione, was ready and effectively tried multiple times to murder Dumbledore and used Unforgivables to achieve his goals [Imperio on Rosemerta, Crucio on Harry]; and now we have the perfect arguments to prove that Draco and Regulus are rapists, torturers and mass murderers by virtue of being Death Eaters. [#RegTheRapist]

Find this a bit unnerving? That’s normal. I could just say that if you consider this logic does not apply for Draco and/or Regulus for any reason you bring up, then it also is invalid for Severus. Becoming a Death Eater is a crime, but it doesn’t mean by itself that you’re a murderer or anything like that. You know what? Draco and Regulus will be dealt with another time. For now, let’s show why each of these arguments are not substantial reasons to paint Snape as the devil, and why I consider in fact that out of all the jobs Death Eater Snape may have had, being an assassin does not reasonably apply to him.

1. He was a Death Eater, of course he killed, tortured and raped!

I would have loved to be really extensive on this one, because there are tons of clues that indicate Snape did none of these things. Instead, I’m just going to focus on some clue moments in the books that give the strongest hints that Snape did not kill and was rather a big Death Eater softie. If you want a further analysis, I highly recommend you this exquisite essay on Reddit, which does a great job at analyzing Snape’s Death Eater Days and part of his Redemption Arc: Snape was a good person who went bad and then good again, and his remorse was true.

Of course, I could just end this here saying that since we have no evidence that Snape killed anyone as a Death Eater, let alone willingly or knowingly, and that being a Death Eater proves nothing of the sort in itself, then “Innocent until proven guilty” applies and the accusation is null. But I’m going to do even better and prove to you why he most likely never murdered, tortured or raped in his life.

So first, let’s just say that it is very naive to think every Death Eater is a Bellatrix.

Part of the fandom thinks that becoming a Death Eater requires some sort of ritual, during which you do evil to an innocent before becoming a true Death Eater. Of course, this comes from nowhere, and the books certainly never argued as such. In fact, if you wish to be a Death Eater spy, then killing people around in mass is obviously not the solution to blend in among the enemy. 

There are lots of characters–like Lupin, Arthur Weasley, Hagrid, McGonagall and Slughorn–who defend Snape until they cannot anymore unless they have access to information that Dumbledore meant to remain top secret. Before the reveal of Dumbledore’s death at the wand of Severus Snape, they never accuse him of having murdered anyone, or of having the profile of a killer. In fact, whenever Harry tries to accuse Snape, they’re not saying, “oh well, I’m not surprised, he was a Death Eater after all”, instead, they don’t believe Harry and reject his suspicions. When they discover that Snape killed Dumbledore, they all are in genuine shock. That’s a lot of trust for someone playing double agent and with a criminal background. 

“But Snape’s trying to steal it [the Stone].” 

“Rubbish,” said Hagrid again. “Snape’s a Hogwarts teacher, he’d do nothin’ of the sort.” 

“So why did he just try and kill Harry?” cried Hermione. […]  “I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I’ve read all about them! You’ve got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn’t blinking at all, I saw him!” 

“I’m tellin’ yeh, yer wrong!” said Hagrid hotly. “I don’ know why Harry’s broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn’ try an’ kill a student! 

//

“Killed?” said Hagrid loudly, staring down at Harry. “Snape killed? What’re yeh on abou’ Harry?” 

“Dumbledore,” said Harry. “Snape killed…Dumbledore.” 

Hagrid simply looked at him, the little of his face that could be seen completely blank, uncomprehending. 

“Dumbledore wha, Harry?” 

“He’s dead. Snape killed him…” 

“Don’ say that,” said Hagrid roughly. “Snape kill Dumbledore — don’ be stupid, Harry. Wha’s made yeh say tha’?” 

“I saw it happen.” 

“Yeh couldn’ have.” 

“I saw it, Hagrid.”

Hagrid shook his head; his expression was disbelieving but sympathetic, and Harry knew that Hagrid thought he had sustained a blow to the head, that he was confused, perhaps by the aftereffects of a jinx… 

“What musta happened was, Dumbledore musta told Snape ter go with them Death Eaters,” Hagrid said confidently. “I suppose he’s gotta keep his cover. Look, let’s get yeh back up ter the school. Come on, Harry…” 

Don’t be stupid Harry.

“Harry, what happened? According to Hagrid you were with Professor Dumbledore when he — when it happened. He says Professor Snape was involved in some —” 

“Snape killed Dumbledore,” said Harry. 

She stared at him for a moment, then swayed alarmingly; Madam Pomfrey, who seemed to have pulled herself together, ran forward, conjuring a chair from thin air, which she pushed under McGonagall. 

“Snape,” repeated McGonagall faintly, falling into the chair. “We all wondered…but he trusted… always… Snape… I can’t believe it…” 

//

[…] “Snape!” ejaculated Slughorn, who looked the most shaken, pale and sweating. “Snape! I taught him! I thought I knew him!” 

(Yeah, don’t mind that word.)

Even Sirius Black, of all people, somehow defends Snape:

« And [Crouch] sneaked up here to search Snape’s office! » said Ron triumphantly, looking at Hermione. 

« Yes, and that doesn’t make sense at all, » said Sirius. 

« Yeah, it does! » said Ron excitedly, but Sirius shook his head.

[…] « There’s still the fact that Dumbledore trusts Snape, and I know Dumbledore trusts where a lot of other people wouldn’t, but I just can’t see him letting Snape teach at Hogwarts if he’d ever worked for Voldemort. »

Sirius can argue that Snape was a Dark Arts nerd, that he hanged out with people who nearly all became Death Eaters, but he admits it himself:

“But as far as I know, Snape was never even accused of being a Death Eater.”

Sirius was imprisoned with the hardcore Death Eaters for 12 years in Azkaban, and he sure heard Pettigrew’s name… yet nobody said a word about Snape, he was that unremarkable. Sirius does not make the mistake of accusing him of being one before Snape shows his Dark Mark on his own initiative in an attempt to make the Minister take early measures against Voldemort.

And of course, the fact Dumbledore hired Snape as a teacher shows that Dumbledore himself considers Snape safe enough to teach and protect the children of Hogwarts.

Let alone that many characters defend Severus, the books also argue that he did not kill by the very absence of any such accusation… at the most important, key moments during which such a revelation could have been made. Quoting this essay because I don’t think I could explain better than that.

In GoF, during his trial against Crouch Sr, Karkaroff names Severus Snape as a Death Eater…

Dead last, when he’s desperate. 

“Not yet!” cried Karkaroff, looking quite desperate. “Wait, I have more!” Harry could see him sweating in the torchlight, his white skin contrasting strongly with the black of his hair and beard. “Snape!” he shouted. “Severus Snape! »

Karkaroff doesn’t mention him at first, only when he runs out of names and still isn’t sure Rookwood’s would suffice. While Karkaroff insists repeatedly that Severus really truly is a DE, he cannot name a single crime Severus committed. Even Moody doesn’t accuse Snape of anything concrete, coming to think of it.

“Snape has been cleared by this council,” said Crouch disdainfully. “He has been vouched for by Albus Dumbledore.”

“No!” shouted Karkaroff, straining at the chains that bound him to the chair. “I assure you! Severus Snape is a Death Eater!”

Well, yes, but… what did he do?

Compare to earlier, where Karkaroff was generously giving out his his mates’ names and their crimes:

« There was Antonin Dolohov, » he said. « I – I saw him torture countless Muggles and – and non-supporters of the Dark Lord. » […] « There was Travers – he helped murder the McKinnons! Mulciber – he specialized in the Imperius Curse, forced countless people to do horrific things! Rookwood, who was a spy, and passed He-Who-Must-Not-BeNamed useful information from inside the Ministry itself! » 

But none comes along with Snape’s name, even when he’s desperately giving all he’s got to gain Crouch’s favour. [visually compare] You can be sure that if Death Eater Karkaroff knew Snape guilty of a crime, then he’d snitch it out to save his own skin.

The words “cleared by this council” show that Snape was cleared without even being tried.

This is the same society, the same Crouch, in fact, who threw Sirius in prison without a trial. The evidence against Snape must have been incredibly slim. Crouch is disdainful when he hears Karkaroff say Snape’s name; talking about Snape is a waste of his time. This is the same Crouch who threw his own son in Azkaban, remember? Look what isn’t a waste of Crouch’s time: he wants to imprison Ludo Bagman for accidentally passing information along to Rookwood:

“Ludovic Bagman, you were caught passing information to Lord Voldemort’s supporters,” said Mr. Crouch. “For this, I suggest a term of imprisonment in Azkaban lasting no less than —”

[…] “We’d just like to congratulate Mr. Bagman on his splendid performance for England in the Quidditch match against Turkey last Saturday,” the witch said breathlessly.

Mr. Crouch looked furious. The dungeon was ringing with applause now. Bagman got to his feet and bowed, beaming.

You cannot accuse Crouch of not being a fanatic about this. Death Eater Snape was less important than Bagman, who was not marked, whose crime was to accidentally pass information along. 

The next evidence we have is the conversation between Snape and Bellatrix in HBP. Bellatrix does not trust Snape:

“‘Present company’?” repeated Snape sardonically. “And what am I to understand by that, Bellatrix?”

“That I don’t trust you, Snape, as you very well know!”

She is so distrustful of him she is willing to doubt the Dark Lord himself.

“Cissy, you must not do this, you can’t trust him —” 

“The Dark Lord trusts him, doesn’t he?” 

“The Dark Lord is… I believe… mistaken,” Bella panted.

Had Snape indeed been the filthiest murderer of the Earth, he could have pointed out all the evil things he’d done to get Bellatrix off his case. But he doesn’t mention any; there aren’t any. Only this:

”The Dark Lord is satisfied with the information I have passed him on the Order.”

Here is Snape, showing off again:

“But through all these years, he [Dumbledore] has never stopped trusting Severus Snape, and therein lies my great value to the Dark Lord.”

So Snape’s value is not in his capacity for murder and torture, then.

Bellatrix is not impressed. Later in the conversation:

“No, you were once again absent while the rest of us ran dangers, were you not, Snape?” 

[…] « Aren’t you listening, Narcissa? Oh, he’ll try, I’m sure… The usual empty words, the usual slithering out of action.”

This is how she sees Snape – he is all talk.

It is possible that Bellatrix was accusing him of slithering out of action only starting from the Second War. 

However, if Snape had been a killer or a torturer or worse, if his actions had been closer to Bellatrix’s or even to Lucius’ during the First War, would Bellatrix have cast that sort of doubt on him in the first place? 

If he had killed and tortured and raped during the First War, before becoming a spy, why didn’t he use them in the argument with Bellatrix? Most importantly, why doesn’t Bellatrix mention them herself to signal his change? Something like “you used to have no problem doing the dirty work but now you’ve changed!” So in her eyes, Snape the DE has always been some kind of a… a wimp. Sorry Snape.

Later on in DH, we witness a conversation between Dumbledore and Snape:

“Are you intending to let him kill you?” 

“Certainly not. You must kill me.” [snep.exe has crashed]

Yes, that kind of conversation. Don’t you always hate it when your friend asks you to kill them? 

There was a long silence, broken only by an odd clicking noise. […]

“Would you like me to do it now?” asked Snape, his voice heavy with irony. “Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?” 

“Oh, not quite yet,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “I daresay the moment will present itself in due course. Given what has happened tonight,” he indicated his withered hand, “we can be sure that it will happen within a year.” 

“If you don’t mind dying,” said Snape roughly, “why not let Draco do it?” 

“That boy’s soul is not yet so damaged,” said Dumbledore. “I would not have it ripped apart on my account.” 

“And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?” 

“You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation,” said Dumbledore. “I ask this one great favor of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year’s league. I confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved — I hear Voldemort has recruited him? Or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it.”

[…] At last Snape gave another curt nod. Dumbledore seemed satisfied. “Thank you, Severus…” 

This question speaks a lot. Snape is concerned for his soul–if he kills Dumbledore, it might be ripped apart. Surely, if Snape had killed previously, then he wouldn’t bother asking such a question, since his soul is already damaged beyond repair? 

Well, either Snape never killed before, and doing so to spare Dumbledore pain represents a huge sacrifice on his part, one that he doubts he can offer, or Snape already killed in the past, but the amount of remorse he felt was so intense that he was able to heal his soul again. Only, repairing a soul requires feeling such excruciating pain that you could die, according to Hermione.

“Isn’t there any way of putting yourself back together?” Ron asked. 

“Yes,” said Hermione with a hollow smile, “but it would be excruciatingly painful.” 

“Why? How do you do it?” asked Harry. 

“Remorse,” said Hermione. “You’ve got to really feel what you’ve done. There’s a footnote. Apparently the pain of it can destroy you.”

Severus might doubt he can bear healing his soul after his first kill. Or if he ever killed before, he might dread suffering such pain again. Because either way, there’s no doubt he will feel extremely remorseful. [image of snape crying in grimmauld place and/or in dumbledore’s office]

Now, you could assume he’s just complaining that Dumbledore seems more concerned about Draco’s soul than his. But then, Dumbledore could have answered: “Well, you killed before, so this won’t make much of a difference to kill me”, or “Your soul is already damaged, so why bother?” 

Instead, he says that assisting in his agreed suicide would rather make Dumbledore a great favour, and hints that allowing him to escape unnecessary pain and humiliation would cancel out any lasting harm on Snape’s soul. (It is totally possible that Dumbledore is lying of course.)

And finally, we have the one conversation that seals it all:

Dumbledore opened his eyes. Snape looked horrified. 

“You have kept him alive so that he can die at the right moment?” 

“Don’t be shocked, Severus. How many men and women have you watched die?” 

“Lately, only those whom I could not save,” said Snape. 

If you read the Prince’s Tale, you will see that Dumbledore is constantly returning any accusation Snape makes against him. I assure you, Dumbledore is not one to spare his feelings. 

At this moment, Dumbledore has told Severus that one day, he will have to tell Harry the truth: that he was raised so he could be sacrificed at the right moment. Snape is shocked at this revelation. As always, to dodge the blame and throw it back at Snape, Dumbledore asks him how many men and women Severus has watched dying. Almost as if blaming Snape for letting those people die. And Snape answers, “only those whom I could not save”. 

If Snape had been an assassin in his Death Eater Days, then you can be sure Dumbledore would have asked: “Don’t be shocked, Severus. After all, haven’t you carried out murders for Lord Voldemort?”

If he could, Dumbledore would have thrown Snape’s previous murders in his face, or any other crime for that matter. But no. The worst Dumbledore can blame Snape for is not being able to save everyone (like Charity Burbage). Which is unfair, of course.

Dumbledore was a powerful Legillimens, a brilliant tactician and very well informed on the war. He knew Snape was a Death Eater when Sirius Black, for instance, did not. He knew the truth when Voldemort tried to frame others for his own murders. He knew so many things no one else could have guessed like he did. There would be little to no problem for Dumbledore to know if Snape had done such things.

In fact, Dumbledore could well assume – like fandom so often does – that Snape has killed before just by virtue of being a Death Eater. But he doesn’t. 

What does it all mean? That Dumbledore knows Severus is not a killer or anything like that.

In an interview, Rowling hinted that Severus saw many people die. 

Apart from Harry, Snape is my favourite character because he is so complex and I just love him. Can he see the Thestrals, and if so, why? 

He can see Thestrals, but in my imagination most of the older people at Hogwarts would be able to see them because, obviously, as you go through life you do lose people and understand what death is. But you must not forget that Snape was a Death Eater. He will have seen things that… 

…are gruesome.

Notice she doesn’t say “Snape killed many people”, but that he saw them dying. As Bellatrix accuses, as Snape confirms, and as Charity’s death illustrates, he was never one to do the killing.

Plot-wise, it is important that Snape never actually killed before. It gives Snape’s struggle a deeper meaning. Dumbledore is his first death, the first and hopefully last person he kills, which makes the act even more horrifying for Snape and harder to do. 

Conclusion? At each and every moment in which it could have been revealed to the reader that Snape had been a killer previous to being Dumbledore’s man, the narrative makes a conscious choice to say that Snape witnessed murders and slithered out of action rather than having performed them himself. In other words, that he was not a murderer as a Death Eater, let alone as Dumbledore’s spy.

2. He had the Dark Mark, it’s a sign he was a blood-thirsty criminal!

The Dark Mark is not given to a Death Eater just for having done a particularly big crime. How does Severus Snape define it?

« There, » said Snape harshly. « There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side.”

Every Death Eater had the Dark Mark. Its purpose wasn’t to mark the greatest Death Eaters amongst Voldemort’s ranks; it was to recognize each other, to be summoned instantly, and to communicate easily.

Snape made a slight flexing movement of his left arm, where the Dark Mark was branded into his skin. 

“Oh, but naturally,” said Professor McGonagall. “You Death Eaters have your own private means of communication, I forgot.” 

If we assume that every–or at least, most–Death Eaters were branded with the Mark, then we also have to remember this:

“But if Voldemort’s trying to recruit more Death Eaters, it’s bound to get out that he’s come back, isn’t it?” asked Harry desperately. 

“Voldemort doesn’t march up to people’s houses and bang on their front doors, Harry,” said Sirius. “He tricks, jinxes, and blackmails them.”

The Death Eaters who thus beared the Mark were, in part, people who were forced to become Death Eaters for their own survival or those of their loved ones. Not just convinced bigots or Voldemort’s favourites. For instance, Severus may have become a Death Eater during or after his education at Hogwarts because his so-called “Death Eater friends” threatened to go after “that Mudblood of yours” if he didn’t give them his services. If Voldemort had accepted Lily’s proposition [“I’ll do anything”], then Lily could have become a Death Eater branded with the Mark just so she could protect her son. Branding people with the Mark would ensure that if they ever seek help among the Aurors or members of the Order, they’d risk being killed on sight or thrown in Azkaban without a trial instead, and so they’d have no choice but to work with Voldemort.

To quote part of the essay I referenced earlier:

1. Pettigrew has the Mark, and he’s a joke among the Death Eaters. Nobody respects him, least of all Voldemort.
2. Greyback does not have the Mark, and yet he was highly supportive of Voldemort and a great, savage ally who specialized in attacking children.
3. Fudge doesn’t believe it means anything when Snape shows the Mark to him (which is, by the way, flagrant betrayal of the Dark Lord after he has definitely returned!)
4. 16 year old Draco, who hasn’t done anything yet, has it. 
5. Conversely, Sirius doesn’t have it and everyone believed him to be a high ranker Death Eater and Voldemort’s second-hand man, anyway.
6. Snape might have got the Mark after he defected, and so anything he might have done to earn it was done in his capacity as a spy.

And the last element is extremely interesting, because it actually makes a lot of sense.

There is a theory that Severus was branded with the Mark just after delivering the first half of Trelawney’s Prophecy, because this is a very valuable service that truly makes Severus a Death Eater.

But it is more logical not to Mark Snape if Voldemort ever planned him to become a spy. Dumbledore is not stupid, if he ever doubted whether Snape was a Death Eater spy or not, he would just have to ask him to show his left arm where the Dark Mark would be. Severus’ cover would be blown quite instantly. 

What could allow Severus to get the Mark without risking his life too much as a spy, is for Dumbledore to agree with Snape getting it. Dumbledore and Voldemort would both agree that branding Snape with the Mark would be beneficial to both of them and hardly a risk for the war. For Voldemort, it would mean being able to summon and communicate with Snape at any moment, while officially marking him as his servant. For Dumbledore, it means Snape can get closer to Voldemort, gain his and the Death Eaters’ trust, and thus receive even more intel. 

So really, the Dark Mark can mean anything, and certainly isn’t proof Snape is a blood-thirsty savage. On the contrary, it could be a sign of his selfless dedication to Lily, Dumbledore and the Light: enough to sacrifice his body and soul with Voldemort’s cursed mark for life. 

3. He was Lord Voldemort’s favourite, he must have been worse than Bellatrix!

Snape becomes Voldemort’s favorite in the Second War, although he is in truth Dumbledore’s man:

“Severus… please… You are, you have always been, Draco’s favorite teacher…You are Lucius’s old friend… I beg you… You are the Dark Lord’s favorite, his most trusted advisor…” //

But I haven’t told him what I’ve been doing in the Room of Requirement, he’s going to wake up tomorrow and it’ll all be over and he won’t be the Dark Lord’s favorite any more, he’ll be nothing compared to me, nothing!” [Narcissa & Draco]

He becomes Voldemort’s favourite… after the battle at the Department of Mysteries, because all of his previous favorites have failed him [Lucius, Bellatrix]. 

“He shares everything with me!” said Bellatrix, firing up at once. “He calls me his most loyal, his most faithful —” 

“Does he?” said Snape, his voice delicately inflected to suggest his disbelief. “Does he still, after the fiasco at the Ministry?” 

[…] “You are avoiding my last question, Snape. Harry Potter. You could have killed him at any point in the past five years. You have not done it. Why?” 

“Have you discussed this matter with the Dark Lord?” asked Snape. 

“He… lately, we… I am asking you, Snape!” 

Before that? Voldemort planned to murder Snape when he resurrected in GoF:

« One, who I believe has left me forever… he will be killed, of course…« 

As Severus confirms in HBP:

“The Dark Lord’s initial displeasure at my lateness vanished entirely, I assure you, when I explained that I remained faithful, although Dumbledore thought I was his man. Yes, the Dark Lord thought that I had left him forever, but he was wrong.”

So he certainly wasn’t Voldemort’s favourite at that time. 

In fact, nothing says that he ever was his favourite in the First War at all. 

Snape in the Second War is enough of Voldemort’s favourite to be trusted with the knowledge of Draco’s mission — Bellatrix herself is surprised. 

“It so happens that I know of the plan,” he said in a low voice. “I am one of the few the Dark Lord has told. Nevertheless, had I not been in on the secret, Narcissa, you would have been guilty of great treachery to the Dark Lord.” 

“I thought you must know about it!” said Narcissa, breathing more freely. “He trusts you so, Severus…” 

“You know about the plan?” said Bellatrix, her fleeting expression of satisfaction replaced by a look of outrage. “You know?” 

“Certainly,” said Snape. 

And yet, in the First War, Snape never was entrusted with the knowledge that Pettigrew was a traitor spy. Many Death Eaters knew it in Azkaban, as Sirius confirms:

“You’ve been hiding from Voldemort’s old supporters. I heard things in Azkaban, Peter… They all think you’re dead, or you’d have to answer to them… I’ve heard them screaming all sorts of things in their sleep. Sounds like they think the double-crosser double-crossed them. Voldemort went to the Potters’ on your information… and Voldemort met his downfall there. And not all Voldemort’s supporters ended up in Azkaban, did they? There are still plenty out here, biding their time, pretending they’ve seen the error of their ways. If they ever got wind that you were still alive, Peter —”

But not Snape, who would have killed to know who was endangering Lily’s life so.

As we said earlier, Severus wasn’t famous and close enough with Voldemort for the Death Eaters imprisoned in Azkaban to mention his name even once.

Another clue that Snape wasn’t Voldemort’s favourite is the scenario that Voldemort sent Snape to try and take the Defense Against the Dark Arts job in Hogwarts. A post upon which Voldemort placed a deadly curse himself. So basically, Voldemort would have sent Snape on a suicide mission, a bit like he did for Draco. Dumbledore confirms in HBP that since the day he refused Voldemort the Defense job, he never was able to keep a teacher there for more than a year, and visibly, Voldemort didn’t bother to lift the curse for Barty Crouch Jr or Amycus Carrow. You really think he’s gonna do it for Severus Snape? So we come to realize that Voldemort didn’t mind sending Snape to be killed or crippled or receive a similarly gruesome fate. That’s not really how you treat a favourite.

We also learn that Voldemort tried to recruit James and Lily among the Death Eaters. Now, there’s a theory that Snape gave him this idea so that James and–most importantly–Lily would be spared from Voldemort’s wrath. However, it’s just as possible that Voldemort delighted so much in Snape’s distress and humiliation that he tried to engage his worst enemy among the Death Eaters; meaning that the Death Eaters wouldn’t protect Snape against James anymore, and in fact might re-create the same environment of abuse that Snape suffered throughout school. If Voldemort can put Pettigrew as Snape’s “assistant”, he sure can put Severus as James’ “assistant” as well. And if Snape tried to leave the Death Eaters, he would sign his own death warrant. (Although Snape might think it’s the preferable option.)

To be fair, those elements are completely coherent with the fact Voldemort had no problem killing Snape off during the Second War just because he wanted the Elder Wand. Because to be “Voldemort’s favourite” means nothing in HP. For further readings, see The Death Eaters as a Cult.

The most likely scenario in which Snape could have started to become Voldemort’s favourite is when he becomes Dumbledore’s spy, because then Snape would become extremely valuable. He would receive intel from the only one Voldemort ever fears, the leader of the other side of the war. Dumbledore may have given Snape info for Voldemort so Snape could rise in his esteem and in turn, get more info from him. It is under this strategy that they prepare the Battle of the 7 Potters:

“You will have to give Voldemort the correct date of Harry’s departure from his aunt and uncle’s,” said Dumbledore. “Not to do so will raise suspicion, when Voldemort believes you so well informed.”

Snape makes it clear that the one reason he’s so close to Voldemort is because of Dumbledore:

“I prefer not to put all of my secrets in one basket, particularly not a basket that spends so much time dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort.” 

“Which I do on your orders!” 

“And you do it extremely well. Do not think that I underestimate the constant danger in which you place yourself, Severus. To give Voldemort what appears to be valuable information while withholding the essentials is a job I would entrust to nobody but you.”

Because as we said earlier, Snape’s value in the war lies not in brute force but in intel.

It is for that reason that the most savage werewolf–Greyback–and the most murder-happy Dark witch of Britain–Bellatrix–are intimidated by him. 

It is easy for a Death Eater to kill, there’s nothing special about that. Working on intel as a double-agent between the two most colossally powerful wizards of the world and the two opposite leaders of the war like Severus Snape does? No one but him could do it.

And if Snape can remain Voldemort’s favourite while working against him in secret as Dumbledore’s man all these years, then the accusation that being Voldemort’s favourite must mean he’s evil is invalidated.

4. He could ask for Lily, it must have been done in exchange/as a reward for great horrible services!

No. Nothing suggests that you have to be a raging murderer to ask Voldemort a favour. It doesn’t cost too much to spare one enemy for one of your followers when you’re the leader of the winning side of the war anyway. It would increase Voldemort’s reputation to appear generous to his servants and seemingly “merciful” to his enemies, showing off how he is so powerful that one enemy alive is no threat to him.

It might also be explained by the fact Snape has just given half of the Prophecy to Voldemort, a feat that no other Death Eater has done. Sparing Lily would be some sort of “reward” for such good services… but this is not particularly horrible or violent compared to an assassin’s job. The Order members like the Potters were kind of… already on a death list, they just became Voldemort’s priority because of the way he interpreted and acted upon the Prophecy. It is not giving vague information that killed the Potters… it was Voldemort’s choice [to act upon a wonky prophecy].

It is also possible that Snape convinced Voldemort that Lily might still be convinced to join him. Voldemort wanted to engage James and Lily among the Death Eaters. This would give Lily a new last chance of joining Voldemort’s cause. And indeed, it’s not as if she protested. Voldemort didn’t ask anything of her but to step aside, and yet Lily was quick to offer her services to him, on her own initiative:

“Please — I’ll do anything —” 

Or it could just as well be that Snape has fooled Voldemort into believing that he wanted him to spare Lily for evil deeds: that he wanted her as a gift to satisfy his “desires”. This is what Voldemort believes:

“He desired her, that was all,” sneered Voldemort, “but when she had gone, he agreed that there were other women, and of purer blood, worthier of him —” 

Voldemort being so evil, he could come to appreciate Snape for being motivated by such evilness towards a Muggle-Born that had defied him thrice.

But of course, Harry has understood that it was only a pretense:

“Of course he told you that,” said Harry, “but he was Dumbledore’s spy from the moment you threatened her, and he’s been working against you ever since!”

Voldemort could not understand true love, and that is why he was fooled so easily by Severus Snape:

“Snape was Dumbledore’s, Dumbledore’s from the moment you started hunting down my mother. And you never realized it, because of the thing you can’t understand.”

Love. As I like to say, Snape’s love was the flaw in the plan.

Because of that, Severus never needed to be particularly evil to ask Voldemort for Lily. At most, he just needed to pretend.

5. He created and was a specialist of Sectumsempra, he must have slaughtered people around!

For this one, I ask you to read the essay « Misconceptions on the Dark Arts ». You can also read this essay on Reddit: The Dark Magic/Light Magic Dichotomy is Nonsense

If you want to see a further examination of Sectumsempra in particular (and why it is not a magical chainsaw), you can check out this essay as well: Sectumsempra and the nature of curses.

What would be the purposes of Sectumsempra–besides the dramatic slaughtering of innocents?

• Self-defense, obviously [Snape sending a gash to James’ cheek, from the ground, werewolf Lupin with shocked Snape, “for enemies”]
• Trying to invent a spell that cuts ingredients more precisely than Diffindo
• Developing his spell-creating skills [Snape experimenting]
• Curiosity and fun in creating edgy-sounding spells [Half-Blood Prince / “Sever Forever!”]
• Self-harm

Lupin says:

“Sectumsempra was always a speciality of Snape’s.”

Well yes, he was its creator, you unproportionate idiot, and visibly he’s the only one who uses such a spell apart from Harry. Notice Snape has taken care not to let any other Death Eater or Voldemort know of the Sectumsempra spell, which you would have expected if, you know, he actually wanted to bathe in blood with his fellow mates or receive praise from Voldemort for helping the cause? 

Even if he used Sectumsempra a lot, it’s possible he used it on dummies, ingredients or during his missions as Dumbledore’s spy. Although the most likely scenario is that he used it a lot in self-defense against the Marauders–including Lupin–because we know they assaulted him day after day, as it was shown in the books and confirmed by the perpetrators themselves. The one instance we know Severus used Sectumsempra is when he saved Lupin from a Death Eater (Death Eaters = “for enemies”), or at least attempted to, which strengthens the argument that it’s meant for self-defense. As if coming up with Vulnera Sanentur as its countercurse wasn’t proof enough by itself…

Many people, good and bad guys, knew and practised Dark Magic, as well as how to use neutral magic for evil intentions. Sectumsempra is edgy, but it is not particularly gruesome compared to, say, the Entrail-Expelling Curse, or Crucio, which Harry was happy to use on Amycus–and argue all you want, torture is unacceptable whoever the subject is. [Amnesty International logo] Harry was also happy to use Sectumsempra on Inferi and against Snape, even after his unfortunate experience with Draco. Knowing what Sectumsempra could do did not prevent Harry from using a curse invented by whom he calls a “murderer”.

In short, creating Sectumsempra is not proof in itself that Snape wanted to slaughter people. Just like making a knife or a sword or anything that can be used as a weapon is not proof you’re a murdering psychopath on the inside. We certainly never saw him using it as a Death Eater against an innocent.

Lots of factors have to be taken into account when judging whether the creation and the use of a spell–Dark or not–is evil. So yeah, Sectumsempra proves nothing.

How bad as a Death Eater was he then?

Here is a rough ranking of the crimes of most Death Eaters we encounter in HP:

• Bellatrix – Voldemort’s most fanatically devoted servant. Participated in the torture and the permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom using the Cruciatus Curse. Tortured Neville Longbottom, seriously injured Nymphadora Tonks, and murdered Sirius Black in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries. Tortured Hermione Granger and Griphook, and murdered Dobby at Malfoy Manor. Murdered Tonks and attempted to murder Ginny Weasley while duelling her, Hermione and Luna during the Battle of Hogwarts. Countless crimes.
• Barty Jr – Participated in the torture and the permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom using the Cruciatus Curse. Delivered Harry Potter to Voldemort, and tried a second time. Trapped Alastor Moody in a trunk, kept him under Imperius, impersonated him using Polyjuice Potion, effectively torturing Alastor Moody for a year. Tortured Draco Malfoy. Murdered his father, Barty Crouch Senior. Stunned Fleur Delacour and performed the Imperius Curse on Viktor Krum. Helped Voldemort in his reincarnation.
• Dolohov – Helped murder Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Tortured countless Muggles and non-supporters of Voldemort with Karkaroff. Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Seriously injured Hermione Granger and Alastor Moody with unknown curses in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban. Attacked Harry, Ron, and Hermione in Tottenham Court Road with Thorfinn Rowle, but failed to harm them. Killed Remus Lupin and responsible for the death of Fred Weasley during the Battle of Hogwarts
• Greyback – Not an official Death Eater, but a follower of Voldemort. Known as the most savage werewolf, leader of werewolves following Voldemort, favoured hunting and attacking young children. Was responsible for turning Remus Lupin into a werewolf. Seriously maimed Bill Weasley and Lavender Brown. Part of the Snatcher Gang that captured Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Participated in the Battle of Hogwarts where he is knocked down by Professor Trelawney, who drops a crystal ball on his head from the top of a tower. Present during Dumbledore’s “assassination”.
• Lucius Malfoy  – Gave Voldemort’s school diary to Ginny Weasley, causing the Chamber of Secrets to be opened. Threatened/blackmailed school governors. Attempted to attack Harry Potter after losing his house-elf, Dobby. Tortured a Muggle family and participated in a violent rampage at the Quidditch World Cup. Present for Voldemort’s rebirth. Placed Order of the Phoenix member Sturgis Podmore and Department of Mysteries employee Broderick Bode under the Imperius Curse to attempt to capture the prophecy for his master. Headed the operation in the Department of Mysteries. Is reknowned in Muggle-torture.
• Peter Pettingrew – Spied on the Order of the Phoenix for Voldemort. Betrayed the Potters as their Secret-Keeper. Framed Sirius Black for the betrayal of, and, therefore, death of, James and Lily Potter. Murdered twelve Muggles (and cut off his own finger) in the process of faking his own death. Murdered Cedric Diggory. Assisted Voldemort in procuring a new body by cutting off his own hand.
• The Carrows – Assaulted people within Hogwarts. Tortured students while teaching at Hogwarts. Forced students to torture 1st years with the Cruciatus as punishement. Also were on the top of the tower when Dumbledore was killed. (accessory to murder)
• Igor Karkaroff – Tortured torture Muggles and non-supporters of Lord Voldemort during the First War with Antonin Dolohov.
• Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange – Participated in the torture and the permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom using the Cruciatus Curse. Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries.
• Rookwood – A former Unspeakable who acted as though he was aiding the anti-Voldemort cause, but was revealed as a double agent, gaining information from Ludo Bagman and other unwitting agents throughout the Ministry. Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Informed his master that Avery’s information about Bode being able to steal the prophecy is incorrect. Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped from Azkaban. Participated in the Battle of Hogwarts, his explosion was what killed Fred Weasley.
• Nagini – Murdered (?) and ate the corpse of Muggle Frank Bryce. Ate the corpse of Charity Burbage. Attacked and attempted to murder Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. Participated in the Battle of Hogwarts. Murdered Severus Snape. ………………..
• Draco Malfoy – Carried out two failed assassination attempts on Albus Dumbledore; unintentionally poisoning Ron Weasley with mead and gravely injuring Katie Bell with a cursed necklace, which almost ended in both of their deaths. Attempted to use the Cruciatus on Harry. Provided the means for Death Eaters to enter and seize Hogwarts. Imperiused Madam Rosmerta for a whole year, forcing her to give the cursed necklace and poisoned mead for Dumbledore’s murder. Tortured fellow Death Eater Thorfinn Rowle (on Voldemort’s orders?). Participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Mulciber – Specialised in the Imperius Curse. Escaped Azkaban fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and again escaped from Azkaban. 
• Travers – Helped murder the McKinnons. Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Tortured Xenophilius Lovegood. Accompanied Hermione, who was disguised as Bellatrix, to Gringotts. Also participated at the Battle of Hogwarts. Presumably one of those who assaulted persons within Hogwarts.
• Macnair – Persuaded the giants to join forces with the Death Eaters. Participated at the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime. Also participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Selwyn – Attacked Rubeus Hagrid and Harry Potter over the Dursleys’ house (possibly killed Hedwig). Tortured Xenophilius Lovegood.
• Rowle – Assaulted people within Hogwarts and accidentally killed the Death Eater Gibbon. Attacked Harry, Ron and Hermione in Tottenham Court Road, with Antonin Dolohov. Participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Yaxley – Assaulted people within Hogwarts. Placed Imperius Curse on Pius Thicknesse.
• Avery –  Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, 
• Crabbe Sr – Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries
• Jugson – Participated at the battle in the Department of Mysteries 
• Nott Sr –  Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries,
• Gibbon – Assaulted people within Hogwarts. 
• Crabbe Jr – Performed the Cruciatus on his student peers. Used the Cruciatus and the Avada in his attempt to attack Harry, Ron and Hermione. Tried to kill them using Fiendfyre. 
• Goyle Jr – Performed the Cruciatus on his student peers.
• Dawlish – Attacked Augusta Longbottom in an attempt to use her as blackmail material over her grandson Neville.
• Rosier – Destroyed part of Alastor Moody’s nose during a fight with Aurors.
• Severus Snape – Gave Voldemort information about Sybill Trelawney’s prophecy, which led to the deaths of James and Lily Potter. 
• (Ludovic Bagman – Relied information to Voldemort’s supporters, such as Rookwood, notably under the promise of getting a job at the Ministry.)

And there Snape is — right at the bottom of the list!

Now perhaps you can realize in startling contrast how… mild Snape was during his Death Eater days?

Snape’s one accomplishment as a Death Eater that we know of is reporting half a prophecy to Voldemort. It also led him to defect and turn spy, and amazingly, it also led to Lord Voldemort’s downfall, twice. He sure was “the worst Death Eater”. With bad guys like that, who needs good guys? 

Although by all means, you could count as crimes the fact Snape joined the DEs in the first place, and then unknowingly, unintentionally led to the death of Lily and Porker despite his efforts as an Order member to save them… it is after all, precisely what his Redemption Arc answers to. Though it doesn’t make Snape the most evil of the Death Eaters by far.

Conclusion

There are lots of unknown variables surrounding Snape’s past as a Death Eater. Most of what we know of is subject to speculation. It is possible he did carry out assassinations, but not only does the text argue against it, we can also reasonably suspect the few times he may have had, was under Dumbledore’s orders, so Snape wouldn’t blow his cover as a spy. Ultimately, it will end in Dumbledore’s staged “murder” and Voldemort killing off whom he believes his best and most faithful servant. 

Of course, we know better now.

Do you prefer to think of Snape as a Death Eater softie, or as a blood-thirsty truant before he started to save children for a living? It’s up to you and your opinions. 

Just remember: Snape the Death Eater is canonically innocent of the crimes you would expect from one-dimensional villains. By Death Eater standards, Snape’s a virgin.