Cedric Diggory became a Death Eater in some alternate timelines as a direct consequence of the profound humiliation he experienced during the Triwizard Tournament. This deviation from the primary Harry Potter narrative stems from the actions of Albus Potter, who, in an attempt to prevent Cedric's tragic death, deliberately tried to humiliate him during the tournament tasks.
The Catalyst: Humiliation in the Triwizard Tournament
In the canonical Harry Potter story, Cedric Diggory is depicted as an honorable and fair Hufflepuff student who tragically dies at the hands of Peter Pettigrew on Voldemort's command. However, certain altered timelines present a drastically different fate for Cedric.
Key Events Leading to Cedric's Transformation:
- Albus Potter's Intervention: Motivated by a desire to save Cedric from his destined death, Harry's son, Albus Potter, intervened in the past.
- Deliberate Humiliation: Albus's strategy involved publicly humiliating Cedric during various Triwizard Tournament tasks. The intention was to prevent Cedric from winning the tournament, thereby altering the chain of events that would lead to his death.
- Cedric's Reaction: Instead of simply being deterred, Cedric's response to this public and repeated humiliation was one of deep resentment and a feeling of being wronged. This emotional distress became a fertile ground for darker influences.
The Path to Becoming a Death Eater
The humiliation inflicted upon Cedric, rather than saving him, inadvertently pushed him towards a different, more malevolent path. Feeling ostracized, mocked, and stripped of his dignity, Cedric sought an outlet for his anger and a way to regain a sense of power or belonging.
In these specific altered timelines, this vulnerability was exploited, leading him to join the Death Eaters, the followers of Lord Voldemort. This decision fundamentally shifted the balance of power, demonstrating how a single, well-intentioned but misguided action could have catastrophic unforeseen consequences.
Impact on the Wizarding World
Cedric's turn to the dark side had significant ramifications, particularly for the most pivotal conflict in the wizarding world:
- Voldemort's Victory: With Cedric Diggory as a Death Eater, the course of history was dramatically altered, leading to Lord Voldemort ultimately winning the Battle of Hogwarts in these specific timelines. This outcome underscores the profound impact an individual's choices, particularly when influenced by extreme emotional distress, can have on major historical events.
This table highlights the stark contrast between Cedric's fate in the original story and the alternate timeline where he becomes a Death Eater:
| Aspect | Canonical Timeline (Original Story) | Altered Timeline (Cedric Becomes a Death Eater) |
|---|---|---|
| Cedric Diggory's Role | Triwizard Champion, honorable Hufflepuff | Triwizard Champion, becomes a Death Eater |
| Key Intervention | None (events unfold naturally) | Albus Potter's attempts to save Cedric's life |
| Method of Intervention | N/A | Deliberate public humiliation during tournament tasks |
| Cedric's Transformation | Remains a brave, good-natured wizard | Driven by humiliation and resentment, joins Voldemort's ranks |
| Ultimate Outcome | Voldemort defeated (eventually), Battle of Hogwarts won | Voldemort wins the Battle of Hogwarts |
| Canonical Source Example | Cedric Diggory on Harry Potter Wiki | Events from specific alternate timelines (e.g., Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) |
Ultimately, the reason for Cedric Diggory becoming a Death Eater in these alternate realities boils down to the severe emotional and psychological impact of being publicly humiliated, which warped his character and led him to embrace the dark arts.
