more idle speculation

[gmonkey42]

I was reading a transcript of an interview with JKR and I saw this:

JKR: At the time that [James & Lily] christened Harry, they were in hiding. This was not going to be a widely attended christening, because he was already in danger. So this is something they were going to do very quietly, with as few people as possible, that they wanted to make this commitment with Sirius. And — yeah. Can’t say much more.

Snape heard the Prophecy in June 1980 and he began teaching in September 1981, a month before Voldemort found the Potters and they all died except Harry. Before OotP, I thought Snape had become a teacher after Voldemort fell - like Dumbledore gave him the job both as a reward for working for the Order and because Snape had trouble finding another job, with his reputation. I was disappointed to learn Snape only began teaching right before Voldemort fell. BUT he could've been spying for Dumbledore before he began teaching.

It would help if there were a standard age at which children are usually christened in the C of E but I get the impression there isn't one.

So all we know is Snape started spying for the Order some time between June 1980 and October 1981. Right? Or am I forgetting something?

I'd really like to know what Snape was doing in the just over three years between graduating from Hogwarts and becoming a teacher. "Death Eater" isn't a job.

My pet theory is he had a Potionmaking apprenticeship with a Voldemort-sympathizer who was killed in the war and after that the Guild wouldn't touch him. Therefore even if there was no Unbreakable Vow between him and Dumbledore, he was sort of stuck teaching anyway, because he couldn't get another job.


And lastly: they wanted to make this commitment with Sirius? James/Lily/Sirius OT3!