You’re staring at that massive, locked House Chest in your common room. It’s mocking you. Honestly, we’ve all been there, wondering if hunting down sixteen elusive flying keys is actually worth the effort just to get a glowing cape. It is. But finding all house token locations isn't exactly a walk in the Forbidden Forest, especially when the Daedalian Keys quest sends you spiraling through the literal verticality of Hogwarts.
Most players give up halfway because the keys make this annoying whistling sound that blends into the background music. You have to listen. Seriously, if you aren't playing with headphones or at least decent volume, you'll miss half of them. The quest starts with Nellie Oggspire in the Transfiguration Courtyard, but she basically just gives you a "good luck" and sends you into a scavenger hunt that spans the entire castle.
The first one is a gimme. It’s right there in the Astronomy Wing. You follow the key to the cabinet, slap it into the lock—timing is everything, wait for it to cross the keyhole—and boom, your first house token. But the remaining fifteen? They’re tucked away in corners of the library, the dungeons, and even the bell tower.
The Astronomy Wing and Grand Staircase Grind
Start where it's easy. After that first key by the Astronomy Tower floo flame, you’ll want to head down toward the Central Hall. This area is a nightmare for navigation because of the overlapping floors. One key hangs out near the Greenhouse entrance. If you hear that distinct fluttering, look up near the arches. It leads you down to the cabinet right by the fountain.
Then there's the Library. Everyone misses this one because they’re too busy looking at the restricted section. It’s usually hovering near the bookshelves on the ground floor. You’ll follow it to a cabinet tucked into a corner on the same level. Simple, right? Not really. The Grand Staircase is where the real frustration begins.
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Navigating the moving stairs while chasing a golden sprite is peak Hogwarts frustration. There’s a key halfway up the main staircase. Don't look for the cabinet on the same floor; it’s actually tucked away near the puzzles on the landing below. You have to be quick. If you lose sight of the key, just wait. They always return to their starting "spawn" point if you don't engage them, which is a life-saver if you get turned around by a shifting staircase.
Dungeons and Dark Corners
Most people dread the dungeons. It’s damp, dark, and the map layout is a total mess. But you can't find all house token locations without braving the depths. Down near the North Hall, past the history of magic classroom, you’ll find a key near the sleeping dragon statue. Yes, the big stone dragon. It’s a landmark you can’t miss. This specific key takes a long path, so stay on its tail.
While you're down there, head toward the Potions Classroom. There’s a key right outside the door. This one is arguably the easiest in the lower levels because the cabinet is just a few steps away in the hallway. But don't get cocky. The one near the Map Chamber—well, technically in the hallway leading to the secret rooms—is a pain. It hovers near the barrels. You’ve probably walked past it ten times while focusing on the main quest.
The Great Hall and Faculty Tower
The Great Hall is iconic, but it’s also a massive open space that makes tracking a small flying object difficult. Check the fireplace. Usually, a key is warming its metaphorical wings right there. The cabinet is up the stairs in the corner of the entrance hall.
The Faculty Tower requires Alohomora. If you haven't progressed Gladwin Moon’s quest to unlock at least Level 1 locks, you’re stuck. You’ll find a key on the upper floors near the Prefect’s bathroom. This area is usually crawling with portraits that judge your every move, but ignore them. The cabinet is just down the hall.
One of the most overlooked spots is the Bell Tower Wing. There’s a key way up by the choir room/music room area. You have to climb a lot of stairs. My legs hurt just thinking about it. The cabinet is situated near the back of the room, often hidden in the shadows of the wooden rafters.
Why the Timing Puzzle Ruins People
The "slap" mechanic is the worst part of the Daedalian Keys. You find the key, follow it to the cabinet, and then you have to play a mini-game. If you’re playing on a high-refresh-rate monitor, sometimes the key moves faster than you’d expect.
The trick? Don't spam the button. Watch the rhythm. The key will zip across the center hole in a predictable pattern. Wait for it to pass the center, and hit it just as it begins its next pass. If you miss, you’ll stun the key and lose a second. It’s not a race, even though the music makes it feel like one.
The Reward: Is the Relic House Uniform Worth It?
Once you have all sixteen tokens, you head back to your common room. You dump them into the chest like you're putting change into a vending machine. The chest pops open, and you get the Relic House Uniform.
This isn't just any robe. It glows when you cast spells. In the dark corridors of a dungeon or during a nighttime duel, the embroidery on the back lights up with your house animal—lion, eagle, badger, or snake. It’s arguably the best-looking cosmetic in the game because it actually reacts to the environment. Plus, it shows everyone you had the patience to scour every inch of the castle.
Essential Checklist for the Final Stretch
If you're stuck at 15/16, it's almost always one of these three locations:
- The Transfiguration Classroom: Not the courtyard, but the actual hallway outside the room. The key often hides behind the globes.
- The Viaduct Entrance: Check the niches near the bridge. It’s easy to miss because of the bright outdoor lighting.
- The Secret Room near the Dungeons: Beyond the dragon statue, there’s a corridor that leads toward the pier. The key is often hovering near the stairs.
Check your map. The map icons for the wings of the castle will actually show you if you’ve collected all the "Field Guide Pages" and "Collection Chests," but they won't explicitly tell you if a Daedalian Key is left. You have to rely on your ears. Listen for that high-pitched "ping" and the fluttering sound.
Actionable Next Steps for Completion
- Unlock Alohomora Level 1: You literally cannot finish this quest without it. Talk to Gladwin Moon near the Faculty Tower if you haven't already.
- Toggle "Audio Visualizer": If you're struggling to hear the keys, go into the accessibility settings and turn on the visualizer. It will show a small icon on your screen indicating where sound is coming from. It’s a "cheat code" for finding the keys' locations.
- Fast Travel Method: Don't run everywhere. Use the Floo Flames to reset the area if a key glitches out or doesn't appear where it should be.
- The "Slap" Strategy: When you get to the cabinet, wait for the key to jump. It usually does a "fake" move before it actually tries to cross the center. Hit it on the second movement for a guaranteed success.
Finding all house token locations is a rite of passage for any completionist. It forces you to see parts of the castle the main story ignores—the quiet corners of the clock tower, the dusty shelves of the long gallery, and the deepest pits of the cellar. Once that chest clicks open, the sense of relief is real. Put on your glowing robe and go show off in the Great Hall. You earned it.