You're running around the Forbidden Forest at night, casting Lumos like a madman, and nothing is happening. It's frustrating. Honestly, the Ghost of Our Love quest in Hogwarts Legacy is one of those early-game tasks that sounds simple but ends up making half the player base look for a guide within ten minutes. It isn't a combat trial. It doesn't require a high-level spell. It just requires you to pay attention to a map that looks like a toddler’s doodle and realize that time of day actually matters in this world.
The quest is a scavenger hunt. Pure and simple. But because it triggers differently depending on your chosen House, players often get confused when their friends describe a completely different starting location. Whether you're a Gryffindor chasing Scrope’s notes or a Hufflepuff visiting Azkaban (lucky you), the endgame is the same: find a bridge, light some candles, and follow them to a romantic—if slightly macabre—picnic.
Where Does This Quest Even Start?
Depending on which House the Sorting Hat shoved you into, your path to the Ghost of Our Love quest varies wildly. This is the only "House-exclusive" part of the quest, and it's basically the game's way of forcing you to see a specific lore-heavy location.
If you are a Gryffindor, you'll pick up the "Map with Floating Candles" during the "The Hunt for the Missing Pages" quest. You’ll find it in a chest near the crypt in Hogsmeade. Ravenclaws find it during "Ollivander’s Heirloom" at the top of the Owlery. For the Slytherins, it’s tucked away in a chest in an underground grotto during "Scrope’s Last Hope." And Hufflepuffs? You get the coolest intro. You grab it from a chest near Upper Hogsfield after visiting the literal prison of Azkaban during "Prisoner of Love."
Once you have that map, look at it. No, really look at it. It shows a bridge, a forest entrance, and a little sun/moon icon. That moon is the most important part. If you try to do this during the day, you are wasting your time. Nothing will spawn.
The Secret to the Forbidden Forest Bridge
The map points you toward the entrance of the Forbidden Forest. Fast travel to the Forbidden Forest Floo Flame. It’s right near the stone bridge. If you arrive and the sun is out, open your map menu and hit the "Wait" button (usually R3 on consoles) to skip to nighttime.
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Now, stand on the edge of the bridge. Cast Lumos.
If you've done it correctly, three floating candles will suddenly flicker into existence. They look like they belong in the Great Hall, but they’re just hanging out in the damp air of the woods. They won't wait for you forever, so start moving.
Following the Glow
You don't need to check your map anymore. Just follow the candles. They lead you north, past the initial treeline and into a small clearing.
It’s a short walk. You won't run into any Centaurs or Spiders if you stay on the path the candles are carving. Eventually, they’ll lead you to a small hill where a table for two is set up. There are more candles, some wine, and a chest.
Open the chest. You’re done.
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You’ll get the Treasure-Seeker’s Outfit, which is a decent enough cosmetic if you’re into the whole "unhinged explorer" look. Plus, you get some XP and the satisfaction of clearing that nagging icon from your quest log.
Why People Get Stuck on Ghost of Our Love
Most people fail this quest because of the Lumos requirement. The game tells you "follow the map," but the map doesn't explicitly say "cast the light spell." It just shows the wand tip glowing. If you’re just standing on the bridge at 2:00 AM wondering why the forest is empty, it’s because you haven’t "activated" the candles with your wand light.
Another common hiccup is the location. There are several bridges in the game. If you go to the bridge near the Quidditch pitch or the one leading into Hogsmeade, you're in the wrong zip code. The map specifically highlights the "entrance" to the forest, which is why that Floo Flame is your best landmark.
Technical Glitches and Weirdness
Sometimes, the candles just don't show up. It's a known bug that’s been around since the 2023 launch and still persists in some versions of the 2026 updates. If you are standing on the right bridge, at night, casting Lumos, and seeing nothing:
- Save your game right there.
- Completely close the application.
- Reload.
- Try again.
Usually, the hard reset forces the script to trigger. Also, make sure you actually clicked on the map in your inventory to "inspect" it. Sometimes the game doesn't register that you have the objective until you've physically looked at the quest item.
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The Lore Behind the Picnic
The game doesn't hit you over the head with the story here, but it’s actually a pretty tragic little environmental narrative. The quest is called Ghost of Our Love for a reason. These candles belonged to a pair of lovers—likely Apollonia Black and Richard Jackdaw, given the context of the surrounding missions.
Jackdaw was a bit of a rogue. He was trying to impress a girl, stole some pages from a book he shouldn't have touched, and ended up getting his head chopped off (literally). The picnic was meant to be a rendezvous. Instead, it became a ghostly waypoint for a student a century later to find some fancy clothes. It adds a layer of melancholy to the Forbidden Forest that isn't just about scary spiders and dark wizards.
Actionable Steps for Success
To wrap this up and get it off your plate, here is the exact sequence you need to follow. Don't overthink it.
- Check the Clock: Ensure it is night. If you see the sun, use the "Wait" function in the map menu.
- The Right Spot: Go to the Forbidden Forest Floo Flame and walk toward the stone bridge leading back toward Hogwarts.
- The Spell: Stand at the very start of the bridge and cast Lumos.
- The Path: Follow the candles north. Do not wander off the path or you might lose the trail.
- The Reward: Loot the chest at the candle-lit table to officially close the quest.
Once the chest is open, the quest clears. You can keep the outfit or just transmog your better gear to look like it. Either way, you've solved one of the most searched-for puzzles in the game.