So, you've heard the rumors about the Hogwarts Legacy free Penny shop. It’s basically the best-kept secret in Hogsmeade, but also the most stressful hour of gameplay you'll encounter. Honestly, if you aren’t prepared for a literal horror movie transition in the middle of your cozy wizarding RPG, Penny is going to give you a heart attack.
Penny is a house-elf. She stands outside a boarded-up shop in Hogsmeade, looking hopeful and a little bit desperate. Most players stumble upon her while trying to spend their hard-earned gold, only to realize that Penny isn't just a merchant—she’s the gateway to the "Minding Your Own Business" quest. This quest was originally a PlayStation exclusive, but thanks to the 2024 summer update, everyone on PC, Xbox, and Switch can finally access it.
Why the Hogwarts Legacy Free Penny Quest is Actually a Nightmare
Let's be real: this quest is creepy. You think you’re just buying a shop from Cassandra Mason for a cool 1,500 gold. Easy, right? Wrong. Cassandra is shady. The moment you step into that basement to retrieve a "chest," the lights go out. The door vanishes. Suddenly, you’re playing Resident Evil with a wand.
Fastidioso is the poltergeist running the show down there. He’s a jerk. He’ll throw furniture at you, trap you in shifting hallways, and force you to fight waves of living mannequins that only move when you aren't looking. It’s intense. But the reason everyone pushes through this psychological gauntlet is the reward at the end: Penny and your very own storefront.
The Financial Perks of Owning the Shop
Once you finish the quest—and potentially traumatize your character for life—you get to name the shop. You can choose between "Stitches and Draughts," "The Vesters and Venum," or "Clutter and Cursor." It doesn’t actually change the gameplay, so just pick whatever sounds coolest to you.
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The real magic is the 10% bonus.
In any other shop in the game, gear sells for a flat rate. In your shop with Penny, she sells your gear for 10% more than any other vendor in the Highlands. If you’re a loot goblin who picks up every pair of dragon-hide gloves and tattered robes, this adds up fast. It’s the only way to truly "min-max" your economy in the late game.
Penny stays there forever. She’s loyal, she’s sweet, and she finally gets to wear a little hat if you choose to give her one (though technically she’s still working the shop for you).
How to Trigger the Quest Right Now
You can't just walk up to Penny at level five. The game makes you work for it. First, you have to reach the mid-to-late game stage. Specifically, you need to complete the "Fire and Vice" main story mission. You also need to make sure you have 1,500 gold in your pocket, or Cassandra Mason won't even talk to you.
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Check your map for a quest icon in the southeastern corner of Hogsmeade. It looks like a little house. If it’s not there, you probably haven't progressed the main story far enough or you haven't downloaded the latest game patches. Since the Summer 2024 update, this is free for everyone. No DLC purchase required. No special codes. Just pure, unadulterated poltergeist chaos.
Winning the Mannequin Fight
The mannequins are the hardest part of getting your Hogwarts Legacy free Penny shop. They don't have health bars like goblins. They just keep coming. Use Revelio constantly to see where they are behind walls. Confringo and Bombarda are your best friends here because they provide area-of-effect damage.
Pro tip: Don't let them surround you. If you get backed into a corner in that basement, it’s game over. Keep moving. Use Glacius to freeze the ones in the front while you blast the ones in the back. Once you beat Fastidioso’s final stage—which involves a lot of upside-down screen effects—you’re basically home free.
The Ethics of Being a Shopkeeper
Some players feel weird about the whole "owning a house-elf" vibe, even if the game frames it as a business partnership. When the quest ends, you have the option to give Penny a piece of clothing. If you do, she’s technically free, but she chooses to stay and run the shop with you because she likes it. It’s the "happy ending" version of the Dobby story, essentially.
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If you don't give her the clothing, she stays an enslaved elf under your "ownership." Most people give her the hat. It’s the right thing to do, and she still gives you that 10% sell bonus anyway.
To make the most of your new business venture, stop selling your gear to the gladrags guy or the potion shop. Every time your inventory gets full, fly back to Hogsmeade and dump everything on Penny. Over the course of a full playthrough, that 10% margin will net you thousands of extra Galeons, which you’ll definitely need for those expensive spellcrafts and broom upgrades.
Start by clearing out your gear slots. Fly to the south end of Hogsmeade. Look for the "Minding Your Own Business" quest marker. Make sure your combat spells are upgraded. Enter the shop, pay the 1,500 gold, and prepare for the longest, weirdest hour of your wizarding life. It’s worth it for Penny.