You're running through the Transfiguration Courtyard, maybe headed to a Herbology class you're already late for, when you hear it. That high-pitched, frantic flapping. It sounds like a golden snitch caught in a localized wind tunnel. If you've spent more than five minutes in the early game, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You've found one of the Daedalian Keys in Hogwarts Legacy, and now you're probably going to spend the next three hours ignoring the main quest to chase a bunch of sentient, winged keys into cabinets.
Honestly, it's one of the most addictive distractions in the game. It starts simple. You talk to Nellie Oggspire in the Transfiguration Courtyard. She tells you about these enchanted keys—a legendary prank by a former headmistress named Moleva Daedalus—and suddenly you’re a detective hunting for sixteen elusive little pests.
The reward? It’s not just "pride and accomplishment." It’s arguably the coolest cosmetic in the game: the Relic House Uniform. It glows whenever you cast a spell. It makes you look like a wizarding badass. But getting it is a massive test of patience and spatial awareness.
Why the Daedalian Keys Quest is Actually Worth Your Time
Most open-world collectibles feel like busywork. I get it. You've got Merlin Trials coming out of your ears and Demiguise Statues to hunt at night. But the Daedalian Keys in Hogwarts Legacy hit differently because they force you to actually learn the layout of the castle. You can't just waypoint your way through this.
You find a key. It zips away. You have to follow the trail of golden sparkles it leaves behind. It leads you to a House Cabinet. Then comes the "mini-game." You have to slap the key into the lock as it passes over the keyhole. It's easy once you get the rhythm, but if you're impatient, you'll just keep hitting the wood and feeling silly.
Pro tip: Don't just spam the button. Wait for the key to cross the center. It has a predictable loop.
The First Key is a Freebie
Nellie sends you to the Astronomy Wing for the first one. It’s right near the Astronomy Classroom Floo Flame. You follow it down to the cabinet, smack it in, and get your first House Token. Easy. But the other fifteen? They are tucked away in corners of the castle you probably haven't even looked at yet.
👉 See also: Nancy Drew Games for Mac: Why Everyone Thinks They're Broken (and How to Fix It)
Tracking Down the Rest of the Keys
You’re going to need to unlock Alohomora (Level 1) for a couple of these, specifically the one in the Faculty Tower. If you haven't done Gladwin Moon’s quest "The Caretaker’s Lunar Lament," go do that first. It’s annoying to find a key only to realize it’s behind a locked door you can’t bypass yet.
The Library and Central Hall area
There’s a key near the Library Floo Flame, right by the bookcases. It’s almost always the second one people find. It leads to a cabinet on the opposite side of the library.
Central Hall is a hub for these things. Head down toward the greenhouses. Near the fountain, you’ll hear that familiar buzzing. This one leads you back up toward the Transfiguration Courtyard door. There’s another one in the Central Hall rafters. You have to go up the stairs toward the Divination Classroom.
The Dungeons and Rocketry
The dungeons are a maze. Seriously. If you go down to the Map Chamber and then head back up toward the dungeons, you’ll find a key near the "Sleeping Dragon" statue. It’s a huge, coiled stone dragon. You can’t miss it. That key flies up to a cabinet near the tapestry room.
While you're down there, keep an ear out near the casks in the cellar. There’s another key that hangs out by the furnace. The dungeons feel spooky, but they hold some of the most satisfying tokens to collect because the cabinets are tucked into such weird, atmospheric alcoves.
The Great Hall and Grand Staircase
The Great Hall has one right by the entrance. It’s usually fluttering near the fireplaces. Follow it to the cabinet in the corner of the hall. Simple.
✨ Don't miss: Magic Thread: What Most People Get Wrong in Fisch
The Grand Staircase is more annoying. The stairs move. The paths change. One key is located near the Grand Staircase Floo Flame. It leads you down toward the Hufflepuff common room entrance. Look for the fruit painting.
Common Misconceptions About the House Tokens
I've seen people online saying you need to be a certain level to finish this. Not true. You just need access to the areas. Some players get frustrated because they think the keys are random spawns. They aren't. They have fixed locations. If you don't hear the flapping, you're either in the wrong spot or you've already grabbed it.
The big one? People think the reward is a stat-boosted item. It isn't. The Relic House Uniform is purely cosmetic. But in a game where "fashion-souls" is half the fun, looking like a glowing beacon of your House pride is the real endgame.
The Sixteen Keys Checklist (Quick Glance)
- Astronomy Wing: Astronomy Classroom key.
- The Library: Right by the Floo Flame.
- Central Hall: One near the Greenhouse entrance, one in the upper rafters.
- Great Hall: Near the entrance fireplace.
- Dungeons: Near the Sleeping Dragon statue and another near the Casks.
- Grand Staircase: Near the main staircase and another near the Quad Courtyard.
- Faculty Tower: Requires Alohomora; near the Prefect's bathroom.
- Clock Tower: Go up the stairs to the rafters.
- Bell Tower: Near the Music Room.
The Satisfaction of the House Chest
Once you’ve got all sixteen tokens, you have to go back to your Common Room. There’s a massive, ornate House Chest sitting there. It’s been mocking you since the first day of term.
Slotting them in one by one feels great. The animation is satisfying. When that lid finally pops open and you see the Relic House Uniform, it feels like a genuine achievement. It’s one of the few quests that makes the castle feel lived-in and mysterious rather than just a backdrop for combat encounters.
Nellie Oggspire will be waiting for a final chat. Go talk to her. It finishes the quest officially in your log.
🔗 Read more: Is the PlayStation 5 Slim Console Digital Edition Actually Worth It?
Is it hard?
Not really. It’s more of a scavenger hunt. The hardest part is the Faculty Tower key because you have to dodge Prefects and Mr. Moon if you do it during the stealth mission. If you wait until after that mission, you can just stroll in and grab it. Much easier.
Taking the Next Steps
If you're stuck on 15 out of 16 keys, check the Clock Tower. Most people miss the one tucked in the rafters because they’re too busy looking at the pendulum. Or check the Faculty Tower again. It’s easy to walk past a key when you’re trying not to get caught by a teacher.
Once you have the uniform, go to your Gear menu. You won't find it under "Cloaks and Robes" as a new item. You have to hover over your current cloak, hit the "Change Appearance" button (Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox), and select it from the transmog options.
Now that the Daedalian Keys in Hogwarts Legacy are out of the way, you can get back to the actual story—or go find those pesky Demiguise statues. You'll need more Alohomora upgrades anyway. Head over to the Great Hall at night; it's a good place to start the next hunt. Better yet, fly your broom around the exterior of the Bell Tower. There are some hidden landing platforms there that most people miss during their first playthrough.
Check your map for the sector-by-sector collectible count. If a wing says "0/1" for Daedalian Keys, you know exactly where to narrow your search. Happy hunting. The glow on that robe is worth the trek.