Regulus-Snape theory
So this theory came to me tonight (in the shower, of course, where I get all my best ideas), and I'm probably not the first to come up with it....If you go with the idea that there was something between Regulus and Snape (friendship, romance, whatever), might it not make sense that it was Regulus who got Snape into the Death Eaters, rather than the other way around?
I mean, Regulus was the type the Death Eaters would want -- pureblooded heir of a Dark Arts-loving family -- whereas Snape is a half-blood, and his skills and ambition might not have been enough for them without Regulus vouching for him. Or maybe they wanted Snape and it took Regulus to talk him into it, telling him he would finally get recognition of his talents.
Anyway, just a new twist on their (possible) relationship that I'd never thought of before.
I mean, Regulus was the type the Death Eaters would want -- pureblooded heir of a Dark Arts-loving family -- whereas Snape is a half-blood, and his skills and ambition might not have been enough for them without Regulus vouching for him. Or maybe they wanted Snape and it took Regulus to talk him into it, telling him he would finally get recognition of his talents.
Anyway, just a new twist on their (possible) relationship that I'd never thought of before.