It may also divide the fandom a bit. Some fans who are more attached to the original positive and heroic narrative of Harry may not like the idea of him dying in fanfic at all. While others, who enjoy exploring darker and more alternative storylines, might embrace these 'harry potter dies fanfic' and even contribute to creating more similar stories, which can cause some friction between different groups of fans.
One interesting 'Harry Potter Dies' fanfiction could be one where his death sets off a chain of events that completely change the wizarding world. For example, it might lead to a new dark lord rising in the power vacuum he leaves behind. Another could be where his death causes his friends to go on a journey of revenge, which shows a different side of their characters.
A possible plot could be that the dragon is a new, unknown and extremely powerful species. Harry is sent to investigate it but underestimates its power and gets killed.
In this type of fanfiction, one possible scenario could be that Harry's already difficult life at the Dursleys takes a fatal turn. Maybe the neglect and abuse he endures finally become too much for his young body to bear. For example, he could be severely underfed and fall ill without proper medical attention, leading to his death. It would also have a huge impact on the wizarding world. Since Harry was seen as the 'Chosen One', his death might cause chaos and despair among those who were hoping he would defeat Voldemort.
One possible fanfic could be titled 'The Grief of Harry: When Sirius Fell'. In this fanfic, it might show Harry's immediate reaction of shock and disbelief. He might stand frozen as he witnesses Sirius's death, then slowly sink to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he screams in anguish. His world would shatter, and he'd feel a loneliness like never before.
Well, in this kind of fanfic, Harry could be neglected by Hogwarts staff. For example, teachers may be too preoccupied with other matters, such as political unrest in the wizarding world. Harry, feeling alone and abandoned, might venture into dangerous areas like the Forbidden Forest more often. He could encounter a powerful and malevolent creature that he's not ready to face, and ultimately die because there was no one to rescue him. Also, the Sorting Hat could potentially mis - sort him into a house where he doesn't fit in at all, and the neglect from his housemates could contribute to his downfall.
One possible plotline could be that Harry Potter sacrifices himself to defeat an even more powerful dark wizard than Voldemort. Maybe this new enemy has a power that can only be countered by Harry's self - sacrifice, which would lead to a very bittersweet ending for the wizarding world.
The Hogwarts students would be greatly affected. The younger students who saw Harry as a hero would be in shock. They would lose their sense of safety and hope. The older students who knew Harry personally would feel a personal loss. The teachers, like McGonagall, would be grief - stricken. She had watched Harry grow up at Hogwarts and had seen his potential. His death would make her question the future of Hogwarts and the wizarding world. Even the ghosts at Hogwarts would feel a strange melancholy. Harry had interacted with them, and his death would be a significant event in the history of the school.
In such a fanfiction, perhaps Harry Potter could be left alone in a dangerous situation, like being locked in a cellar by some dark wizards and no one comes to rescue him. As a result, he slowly succumbs to hunger, thirst or an attack from some dark creatures, ultimately dying from neglect.
If Harry dies instead of Cedric in fanfic, Hogwarts would be in a state of deep mourning. The entire wizarding world that had placed so much hope in Harry would be in shock. Voldemort would likely face less opposition in the short term as Harry was seen as the main threat to his return. Friends like Ron and Hermione would be devastated, and they might have to take different paths. Ron could become more withdrawn, and Hermione might focus all her energy on finding a way to avenge Harry. The story would also likely shift focus to Cedric, who would now carry the weight of the prophecy or the task of ultimately facing Voldemort, if there was such a concept in this altered universe.