Hogwarts Legacy follows the journey of a young fifth-year student during their time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The protagonist will be required to attend various classes when they arrive at the famed wizarding school, but they will eventually be given the freedom to explore the vast magical world outside the castle's walls, where they can offer their help to various witches and wizards.
Though most of the side quests in Hogwarts Legacy are located outside the castle, some, like the Portrait in a Pickle side quest, can only be found by exploring Hogwarts itself. Unless the player is searching for this quest, however, there is a chance they mightn't find it.
How To Begin The Portrait In A Pickle Side Quest In Hogwarts Legacy
In order to begin the Portrait in a Pickle side quest, players should fast-travel to the Library and approach the portrait to the right of where the Floo Flame spawns them. Upon interacting with said portrait, the player will be introduced to Ferdinand Octavius Pratt, a rather obnoxious character who claims some Hogwarts students have wronged him.
According to Ferdinand, the portrait of him that once hung in the Three Broomsticks has been stolen and taken somewhere far away. He believes Astoria Crickett is the mastermind behind the theft, so when the cutscene ends, the protagonist will suggest speaking to her before beginning their search.
Where To Find Astoria Crickett
Astoria Crickett can be found inside the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. To reach this location quickly, the player should fast-travel to the South Hogsmeade Floo Flame and travel north until they find the establishment. Upon interacting with Astoria inside, she will explain to the protagonist that Ferdinand reports the conversations of students to the headmaster, which is why she chose to move him to a different location.
She then reveals that the thieves she hired took Ferdinand's portrait to a ruin near the coast, and though this description seems vague, the game will highlight the exact location of the ruins in question once the cutscene ends.
Where To Find The Marunweem Ruins
If players have yet to visit the southeast section of Hogwarts Legacy's map, they will first need to fight their way through the enemy encampment located at the East South Sea Bog and travel through the cave in the southeast corner. Upon reaching the other side, they will then need to fly their broom south along the shore until they reach the Marunweem Ruins.
For those who have already reached this section of the map, they can fast-travel directly to the Marunweem Ruins Floo Flame. Upon reaching the ruins, however, the player will need to fight and defeat the Poachers and Ashwinders lurking around the area before they can easily look for the entrance to the cave below.
Once all the Dark Wizards have been dealt with, the player should head to the northern section of the ruins, where they will find a stairway leading below. At the end of this path, they will be faced with a Level 2 lock that must be opened in order to reach Ferdinand. In order to unlock these advanced locks, the player will need to have found nine optional Demiguise Statues and returned them to Gladwin Moon.
What To Do With The Portrait Of Ferdinand Octavius Pratt
Upon interacting with Ferdinand in the final chamber, the player will be given the option to choose what happens to his portrait. If the player chooses the "Let's get out of here" option, they can either return him to the Three Broomsticks or bring him to the Hog's Head, an establishment Ferdinand despises.
Ferdinand will thank the protagonist if they choose to return him to the Three Broomsticks, but bringing him to the Hog's Head is arguably the more enjoyable option. Upon arriving there, Ferdinand will cower at thought of being in such an ill-fitting establishment, and the barkeeper will suggest that his portrait will make for good target practice.
If players chose the second option when they found Ferdinand's portrait at the Marunweem Ruins, they could also choose to burn his portrait. Each quest outcome will reward the player with the Oddities Shelf, a decorative item that can be placed in the Room of Requirement, so the player can feel free to choose whatever outcome they like, as their decision won't have any long-lasting effects on the overall story.
Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. PS4 and Xbox One versions will release on April 4 and a Switch version will release on July 25.