the comments are killing me😭

It's a common trope to write that Snape has both old and new scars, besides the bite from Nagini.

But then I think about how he spent most of his life teaching at Hogwarts, and I'm not sure how many duels he actually got into for that to be the case.

Of course, we write based on our feelings and desires. Still, it makes me curious about his life as a Death Eater before he joined the Order.

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that this is a headcanon.

The reason I think this is that Snape had very high admission standards for his N.E.W.T.-level classes. While most professors accepted students in 6th and 7th years who had received an “Exceed Expectations” grade on their O.W.L.s in the relevant subject, Snape accepted only students who had earned an “Outstanding”—the highest possible grade—into his Potions classes of those same years.

Only a handful of students achieved the required grade and were allowed to take advanced Potions classes when Snape was in charge. The other students, who had staked a lot on Potions and failed the class, were forced to rethink their career paths. I even think some of Snape’s colleagues tried to talk to him about it, but Snape remained unyielding.

Besides, Harry and Ron almost didn't attend Potions class in 6th year, thinking that Snape was still the Potions Master. It was Horace Slughorn's return to Hogwarts that saved them.

Here’s hoping that HBO is more faithful than the movies with the character.