So, you’re chasing those flying keys. Honestly, the first time you see one zip past Nellie’s head in the Transfiguration Courtyard, it feels like a simple enough distraction. Then you realize there are sixteen of them. Sixteen keys, sixteen cabinets, and a whole lot of sprinting up and down staircases that honestly seem to move just to spite you. If you're trying to unlock that Relic House Uniform—which, let’s be real, is the only reason we’re all doing this—you need to know exactly where these things hide.
Most people just wander around hoping to hear that distinct, metallic fluttering sound. That's a mistake. You'll waste hours. To get this done efficiently, you've got to understand the pathing. The keys don't just sit on the cabinets; they’re often tucked around corners or hovering near rafters, waiting for you to get close enough to trigger their flight path back to the House Cabinet.
The Astral and Intellectual Wings
Let’s start with the Astronomy Wing because it's usually where people get stuck first. You’ll find one key right at the top of the Astronomy Tower. If you fast travel to the Floo Flame, just head higher. It’s chilling near some telescopes. Once you startle it, it’s going to lead you all the way back down to the cabinet in the Astronomy classroom area. It’s a long flight. Don't lose sight of it.
Then there’s the Library. This one is basically a freebie, but only if you’re looking. It’s hovering near the bookshelves on the ground floor. The cabinet is tucked away in a corner of the same room, so you won't have to go on a cross-castle marathon for this one.
The Central Hall is a bit more of a headache. There are actually two keys in this general vicinity. One is near the Greenhouse entrance—look for it fluttering near the fountain. The other is up the stairs, tucked behind a staircase near the large doors. If you’re standing in the middle of the hall feeling lost, just listen. The 3D audio in this game is actually helpful for once; the fluttering gets louder the closer you get to the rafters.
The Dungeons and the Sleeping Dragon
The dungeons are creepy. Let’s just put that out there. But if you want that house chest open, you have to go down there.
There’s a key near the Map Chamber entrance, but specifically, look for the room with the massive stone dragon statue. You know the one—the sleeping dragon that everyone wishes they could wake up. The key is usually hovering right around the dragon's nose or just above its head. Follow it up the stairs to the cabinet.
Nearby, in the Hieroglyphic Hall, there’s another one. This area is a maze of barrels and damp stone. The key is near the iron gates. It’s easy to miss because the lighting in the dungeons is, frankly, terrible. Cast Lumos if you have to, but remember you can't have your wand out and slap the key at the same time. You’ve got to be fast with the interact button.
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The Grand Staircase and High Places
The Grand Staircase is the bane of my existence. It’s constantly shifting. To find the key here, you want to head to the level just below the Trophy Room. It’s often hovering near the portraits. Once it takes off, it’s going to lead you down several flights of stairs to the cabinet located near the Grand Staircase Floo Flame.
While you’re in the neighborhood, check the Entrance Hall. This is where the big double doors lead out to the grounds. The key is up on the balcony area, usually near the rafters. It’ll fly down toward a cabinet tucked into a side room near the main doors. It’s a busy area, so the sound of students chatting might drown out the wings if you aren't paying attention.
- The Quad Courtyard: Look near the archways. This key likes to hide behind the stone pillars.
- The Faculty Tower: You’ll need Alohomora for some of these areas if you’re doing this early, but the key itself is usually near the top of the stairs where the Prefects roam.
- The Clock Tower: This one is tricky. It’s behind the gears. You might need to look up higher than you think.
The Combat of Slapping Keys
Once you find a key and follow it to the cabinet, the real "boss fight" starts. Well, not really a boss fight, but it’s annoying. You have to slap the key into the lock.
The trick isn't to spam the button. If you just mash it, the key will bounce off the wood and reset its position. Wait for the key to fly directly over the keyhole. There’s a specific "rhythm" to it. It usually does a little loop-de-loop before it passes over the hole. That’s your window. Hit it right as it crosses the center. If you miss, just wait. It doesn't disappear; it just resets its pattern.
Why Bother With the Relic House Uniform?
You might be wondering if this is even worth it. The reward is the Relic House Uniform. It’s a piece of gear that actually glows when you cast spells. If you’re a Gryffindor, it’s got gold embroidery; Slytherins get silver, and so on. It’s arguably the best-looking cosmetic in the game, especially if you’re into the "ancient magic" aesthetic.
Plus, completing this quest is a major chunk of your field guide completion. If you’re a completionist, you can't skip this. Nellie Oggspie in the Transfiguration Courtyard is the one who starts the quest, so make sure you've talked to her first or the keys won't even show up.
Quick Summary of Tricky Spots
The Potions Classroom key is a classic "hidden in plain sight" situation. It’s right outside the classroom door, but it flies all the way down the spiral staircase. Don't try to shortcut it by jumping over the railing; you'll likely lose the key's trail or, worse, take fall damage and look like an idiot in front of Sharp.
In the Great Hall, the key is tucked away in the entrance foyer, not the actual hall where the food is. Look near the fireplace. It leads to a cabinet in the corner of the same room. It’s one of the faster ones to clear.
Lastly, the Hospital Wing. You usually can't get this one until you've progressed the main story enough to unlock the moon-tracking quest with Gladwin Moon. Once you have access to the upper floors of the South Wing, the key is in the corridor with the paintings. It’s a tight space, so catching it is actually easier than in the wide-open halls.
Actionable Steps for Fast Completion
To wrap this hunt up without losing your mind, follow this specific order. It minimizes the amount of backtracking and floor-swapping.
- Start at the Astronomy Tower. Grab that key and follow it down. From there, it's a natural progression through the Transfiguration classroom and into the North Hall.
- Hit the Library and Central Hall next. These are your "hub" keys. Since you’re already in the middle of the school, you can branch out to the Greenhouse or the Potions area easily.
- Go Deep. Head to the Dungeons after the Central Hall. Since the Map Chamber is down there, you can knock out the Dragon statue key and the Hieroglyph key in one go.
- Finish High. End your run at the Grand Staircase and the Faculty Tower. These areas require the most vertical movement, so saving them for last means you aren't constantly running up and down the same stairs.
- Check your inventory. You can see how many House Tokens you have in your quest items. If you have 15 and can't find the last one, it’s almost always the one in the Clock Tower or the one near the Hospital Wing. Double-check those rafters.
Once you have all 16, head back to your Common Room. Interact with the House Chest, dump the tokens in, and enjoy the glow-in-the-dark drip. There’s no further quest after this, but the achievement and the outfit are yours forever.