Envy and Respect

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 13133

I thought it was sad, too that Cedric died (and somehow felt I should 
have seen the signs - more later if anyone's interested), but I think 
it was a brilliant decision on JKR's part.  Why?

Harry was devasted to have lost a Quidditc match in PoA when he was at 
his weakest point - to Cedric.
He loses the first girl he has a serious crush on - to Cedric
He is the target of ridicule and ostracism when he is chosen as the 
fourth champion - because Cedric got there first and honestly.

JKR is creating a realistic and complicated situation because Harry 
envied Cedric (rightfully so) for being what Harry (as a typical 14 
year old) wants to be.  Yet Cedric is a good guy - a really good guy, 
and he dies.  Now Harry is left with the guilt of having not liked 
Cedric too much when he was alive and having been forced to witness 
his death.

Isn't life complicated just like that?  I hope I made sense!