what would cedric and harrys relationship be like if he was still alive?
in the particular case where cedric survives little hangleton, i think they develop a bond that goes beyond what they were able to explore in the time they knew each other. that shared trauma, seeing all that they did and being able to talk about would be essential. harry can’t often find words to convey what he’s feeling, having someone who shared in that with would have been beneficial to what they had been witness ( and fallen victim ) to.
in the case where cedric doesn’t go to the graveyard at all, i think they still become a lot closer. i would imagine cedric believes harry, because cedric would have also been exposed to the way viktor acted in the maze, seeing harry disappear. perhaps removed more from the inner-workings of the order cedric writes to harry with great frequency over the summer, tries to soften the blow of what’s being written in the prophet.
harry and cedric always got on, they were able to talk about quidditch and both had a strong sense of playing fair, of operating with integrity. and for harry, that’s really the basis of all his strongest relationships. ( he spots strength of character quick and typically gravitates towards that, he really appreciates that quality in cedric. )
they operate pretty similarly. and the appreciation that a student held in such high esteem as cedric would go to bat for harry would be something he wouldn’t forget.
essentially, i see the makings of them being very close. because two good good boys ought to stick together.
