The Wizarding World's history is forever etched by the impact of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. As the main villains of the Harry Potter series, multiple members of the faction have appeared in the books and films. The Death Eaters are largely seen from the point of view of Harry himself, which means the finer points behind their activities tend to get lost in the mix. Voldemort's followers actually have quite a lot to do as members of the evil faction, and their activities play into their personal lives at times, as well.
While they are no doubt meant to be seen as villains, it's interesting how much depth goes into becoming a Death Eater and staying in that position.
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14 VOTES
Death Eaters Learn How To Use The Dark Mark, And Cast It On Establishments After Successful Missions
An essential piece of training a Death Eater undergoes is learning how to cast the Dark Mark in the sky. As the signature of Voldemort, the symbol hovers over any establishment where the Death Eaters have successfully taken the lives of their targets.
The incantation for the spell was created by Voldemort, so a Death Eater has to learn it from the Dark Lord himself. Wizards in the faction are designated with the job of casting the Dark Mark, such as when Gibbon cast it on the Astronomy Tower in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The spell is "Morsmordre," and is completed with specific hand motions that Death Eaters cast after gaining Voldemort's approval.
14 votes
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8 VOTES
The Worthy Ones Are Taught Dark Magic By Voldemort Himself
Part of the job description of a Death Eater is to be proficient in various forms of dark magic. The ones Voldemort deems worthy accompany him so that he can teach him the most dangerous curses and techniques known to mankind. Lessons are held whenever Voldemort feels like it, and they are far from similar to Hogwarts' teachings.
The chosen Death Eaters have to watch Voldemort use the Unforgivable Curses and then practice those spells themselves to prove their abilities to Voldemort. The Dark Lord can choose to give even more exclusive lessons that others in the inner circle don't know about - Severus Snape was taught how to fly without the knowledge of anyone else.
8 votes
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8 VOTES
Death Eaters Go On Missions To Recruit Magical Creatures And Wizards As Voldemort's Allies
Established Death Eaters are required to go on missions to expand Voldemort's influence. Despite the faction's disdain for beings other than pureblood wizards, the Death Eaters are supposed to approach magical creatures - the purpose of the visits is to turn them into allies for Voldemort's cause.
Those tasked with recruitment missions have to survive in toiling conditions at times, such as the Death Eaters who paid visits to Azkaban to seek the favor of the Dementors, and the Death Eaters who went deep into the European mountains to win the allegiance of the Giants.
At times, Death Eaters go on recruitment missions on their own; Corban Yaxley was sent to find Horace Slughorn because Voldemort wanted his former Hogwarts teacher's expertise. Yaxley failed in his mission, however, when he was fooled by Slughorn's self-transfiguration into an armchair.
8 votes
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8 VOTES
Death Eaters Have To Pass Their Ideals Onto Their Children, And Hunt Down Or Cut Off Family Members Voldemort Deems To Be Enemies
Quite a few Death Eaters are legacy members, in that their fathers were part of the faction before them. The Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, and Malfoy families all have their children continue to be inducted into the Death Eaters, just as the patriarchs were. Children usually join willingly because they are taught from a very young age to respect the pureblood ideologies that Death Eaters are fanatical about.
Moreover, family members that don't conform to the Death Eaters' way of thinking are to be outright hunted down during times of war. Bellatrix Lestrange eliminated her niece Nymphadora Tonks because Voldemort was offended that she married the werewolf Remus Lupin.
8 votes
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18 VOTES
Voldemort Gives Constant Hints To His Secrets Around Death Eaters
Life as a Death Eater entails following Voldemort's orders, and he prefers to feed his own ego during these moments. Voldemort likes to boast of his superior abilities - this is when Death Eaters can pick up on hints of the powers he possesses or the feats he's accomplished.
Regulus Black was able to deduce that Voldemort's locket was a Horcrux when he paid attention to the Dark Lord's words. Voldemort gave clear hints that he was immortal; Regulus picked up on this, and also added up Kreacher's experience in the cave to reach the conclusion that Voldemort had hidden a Horcrux.
Every Death Eater has heard Voldemort's long monologues at one point or another because it's part of his nature to ensure his subordinates know just how powerful he is.
18 votes
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6 VOTES
Spies Are Stationed In Influential Places To Recruit And Corrupt Others
Death Eaters usually come from families with influence who have access to powerful positions in the Ministry of Magic. Part of a Death Eater's job is to infiltrate places that will give Voldemort a significant hold on the Wizarding World, and these spies visit places of importance frequently.
Lucius Malfoy was one of the most vital spies for Voldemort; he made donations to Gringotts, St. Mungo's Hospital, and the Ministry of Magic as an excuse to have people in authority under his thumb. His infiltration allowed Malfoy access to the Department of Mysteries, where he corrupted Augustus Rookwood.
Rookwood became a parasite within the Ministry and passed important information to the Death Eaters. As part of their roles as spies, the Death Eaters have to meet Voldemort and provide the most necessary details in person.
