pagesofharrypotter:

Cedric’s death is a devastating moment in the Harry Potter series. While there were many deaths in the books, Cedric’s is particularly shocking [to me, at least] for a few reasons.

Firstly, Cedric’s death was the first we witness. We didn’t witness the death of James and Lily, nor the death of Quirrell [Harry fainted before Quirrell died in PS] and up until this point the books had been very innocent, and then he we see Cedric murdered for no reason other than that he was just there.

Secondly, Cedric is such a decent person in the books and he’s so young when he dies. - he’s only 17/18 here. Cedric is a wonderful person, he values fair play, he’s loyal, he’s hardworking, he honorable, he’s lovely. In Prisoner of Azkaban when he found out Harry had fainted at the Quidditch match he wanted a rematch to make it fair, and told Harry he was very happy for him when Harry got his Firebolt. Here to, in Goblet of Fire, he always worked hard to make sure that him and Harry were on the same level [telling Harry about egg, helping Harry in the maze]. Cedric was like a knight of the roundtable.

Thirdly is the senseless way in which Cedric was killed. Cedric wasn’t killed during battle or because he did something to anger Riddle - he was killed simply because he was in the way. Cedric was struck down like a fly by someone preparing for a banquet, only in this case the banquet involves some twisted blood magic. The way Riddle ordered Wormtail to kill Cedric shows how corrupted and evil he is - he literally has no remorse, no empathy, no feelings. Other people are nothing to him unless he can use them for his own gain.

When Cedric dies here, Jo is basically saying “Shit’s about to get real, kids. There’s more where this came from.”