Nat didn't have to die right away.
He could have taken the Amulet of Samarkand, defeated Nouda, then died a little while later because of his side.
I was very upset when he died and all, but he kind of had too.
"You belong in Gryffindor,
where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
set Gryffindors apart."