Harry Potter: 16 Most Devastating Deaths Ranked From Worst To Best

9. Cedric Diggory

How he died: Killing Curse Who killed him: Wormtail Why it is emotional: Cedric's death signalled the beginning of the war because it was proof that Voldemort was back. His death was also extremely futile because he died solely because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time (thanks to Harry's insistence on sharing the victory). His father's reaction is particularly heart-breaking when Harry returns to the school with Cedric's body and Hogwarts was forced to say goodbye to a true champion. It also made a legitimate villain out of Wormtail, who had been a bumbling comedic character up to that point, but whose true capacity for darkness was shown in that instant Killing Curse.