So, We Have Some Questions About Cedric Diggory

After nine years of hoping and praying, a new Harry Potter book is finally here. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child introduced the story lines of new characters, but it also brought back some fan favorites, and even some dead, characters, raising questions like: is Cedric Diggory alive? The answer is more complicated than you think.

Spoilers ahead!

The last time Harry Potter readers saw Cedric Diggory, the life in his eyes was being extinguished by Lord Voldemort, and we were sobbing into our copies of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . A loyal friend, a talented wizard, and an extraordinarily brave young man, Cedric died selflessly and became a symbol for the fight against the Dark Lord and his army of Death Eaters. His death was a turning point in Harry's fight to vanquish Voldemort, an inspiration for him to fulfill the destiny he was always meant to fulfill.

But what if Cedric Diggory never died at all? Harry Potter and the Cursed Child explores that possibility.

In the newest book, BFFs Harry's son Albus and Draco's son Scorpius get their hands on a Time-Turner, the very same magical device Harry and Hermione used to travel back in time in their third year at Hogwarts, and use it to return to the Triwizard Tournament from nearly three decades before and save Cedric Diggory's life. Manipulated by a pretty young girl, Delphi, whose intentions are much more evil than she reveals, the pair may save one life, but they put everyone else they love in danger.

Albus and Scorpius travel back in time to prevent Cedric from winning the first challenge at the Triwizard Tournament. However, when they return to their time period, they realize their interference has manifested in unexpected — and unwanted — ways. So they decide to try again.

Albus and Scorpius stop Cedric's victory at the tournament, preventing his death. The only catch? Cedric doesn't exactly grow up to be a member of Dumbledore's Army. Instead, his humiliation in losing makes him as evil as evil comes, forcing him to stoop to such levels as becoming a Death Eater, murdering Neville Longbottom, and even helping Voldemort take power. It seems like a fate worse than death.

In this alternate reality created by Scorpius and Albus, Cedric's death isn't the only thing that changes. Albus is never born because Harry is killed at the Battle of Hogwarts, Professor Umbridge is headmistress of Hogwarts, and Voldemort is alive, well, and in compete power. To save the future and prevent this terrible fate from unfolding, Scorpius — with a little help from some fan-favorite characters — must go back again and set things right. And that means letting Cedric die.

Sorry Cedric fans, if you were hoping for a permanent return of the hunky Hufflepuff, think again. This is Harry Potter, after all, and even the best characters aren't always meant to survive. But, we will say, that Cedric proves himself to be a hero — once again — in Cursed Child.

RIP (again) Cedric Diggory. I hope there's plenty of butter beer, wherever you are.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One & Two (Special Rehearsal Edition Script), $17.99, Amazon

Images: Warner Bros.; Giphy (3)