The side quest “Secret Lair in the Castle” is one of the early tasks within Hogwarts Legacy. Instead of clear path markers, you will be given a simple treasure map with clues that will guide you step by step through the castle. If you visit the locations in the right order and use Accio correctly at the end, the quest is completed quickly and without frustration.
Short solution in 20 seconds
Talk to Arthur Plummly near the magic classroom and accept the treasure map. Then walk through these three locations in exactly the same order: first to the rhinoceros skeleton, then to the dragon fountain in the courtyard and then back up the stairs. At the end, you will be standing in front of a painting. Cast Accio directly on the small ring at the top of the picture frame, open the hiding place, loot the chest and return to Arthur.
When is the quest available?
The quest is unlocked after you have visited Hogsmeade for the first time in the course of the story. You must also have already learned the spell Accio, as you need it to complete the quest. Once you have done this, you can start the quest at any time.
Find Arthur Plummly
Teleport to the flea flame by the magic classroom. Arthur Plummly usually stands a little way down the stairs in this area and is easily overlooked. Speak to him, listen to his story and take the treasure map. From this moment on, the quest no longer follows any markers, but only the clues on the map.
A good tip: If you are unsure about a place, stop for a moment and look around. The right places are always clearly recognizable and don’t look like a random passageway.
Clue 1: The rhinoceros skeleton
Go down several levels from Arthur’s location until you reach a large hall. There is a striking rhinoceros skeleton that immediately catches your eye. This is the first clue on the treasure map.
You don’t have to click or collect anything here. It’s enough to reach the location and stand there for a moment. If you only see narrow corridors or classrooms, you’re not in the right place yet.
Note 2: The dragon fountain in the inner courtyard
Continue from the rhino skeleton until you reach an open courtyard. In the middle is a fountain with a dragon statue. This dragon fountain is the second clue.
Make sure that it really is a larger courtyard with a central fountain. Hogwarts has several similar areas, but only here is the dragon fountain clearly the focal point.
Note 3: The stairs to the top
Behind the dragon fountain you will find an exit that leads to a staircase. Go up these stairs. This path is the third and final clue on the treasure map.
Important: Only when you have visited these three locations in the correct order will the goal of the quest react. If you take a shortcut here or skip a location, nothing will happen later.
Using the painting and Accio correctly
At the end of the path, you will come to a painting that initially looks completely normal. It does not move by itself and looks like pure decoration.
Stand directly in front of it and pay attention to the small ring at the top of the picture frame. Cast Accio specifically on this ring. This will open the hidden compartment behind the painting and you can go inside.
If nothing happens, you have either not aimed precisely at the ring or have not visited one of the clues correctly.
Reward and quest completion
You will find a chest in the hiding place. As a reward, you will receive 180 experience points and the “Authentic Historian’s Uniform” appearance. Then return to Arthur Plummly, talk to him again and complete the quest.
If the painting does not react
If the painting does not respond to Accio, this is almost always due to the sequence. Run through the clues again: first rhino skeleton, then dragon fountain, then up the stairs. Then return to the painting and cast Accio again on the ring on the frame.
In most cases, the problem can be solved immediately.
Our conclusion
“Secret Lair in the Castle” is one of the clearest side quests in Hogwarts Legacy. You follow three clear clues in the castle – from the rhinoceros skeleton to the dragon fountain to the staircase – and then use Accio at the picture frame at the end. If you stick to this sequence, the quest is completed in just a few minutes, without any guesswork or frustration.
