So, you’ve been wandering around the library or maybe just checking your quest log, and you see it. Ferdinand Octavius Pratt is missing. Well, not missing—he’s been "kidnapped" by some disgruntled students and moved to a dangerous coastal ruin. Honestly, the Portrait in a Pickle Hogwarts Legacy quest is one of those side missions that reminds you just how insufferable some of the portraits in the wizarding world can be. Ferdinand is a snob. He’s loud, he’s judgmental, and he’s currently stuck in a bandit camp surrounded by people who would probably rather burn him for warmth than listen to his critiques.
If you’re looking to wrap this up quickly, you’ve gotta head to the Three Broomsticks first. Astor Kotth will give you the rundown on why this particular frame is empty. It turns out, Ferdinand was basically spying on students and reporting them to Black, which is exactly why someone decided to haul his canvas across the map.
Where to Find Ferdinand Octavius Pratt
You’re going to be traveling south. Way south. If you haven't unlocked the Poidsear Coast yet, you’re in for a bit of a hike through the goblin-infested tunnel. Most players get stuck here because the quest marker feels like it’s a million miles away from the castle. It basically is. You need to look for the Marunweem Ruins.
Once you arrive at the ruins, don’t expect a warm welcome. The place is crawling with Ashwinders. You can go in spell-casting like a madman, or you can use the Disillusionment charm to pick them off one by one. Personally, I find it easier to just clear the camp because trying to talk to a painting while someone is firing Confringo at your head is a recipe for disaster.
Cracking the Lock
When the coast is clear, head down into the underground section of the ruins. You'll find Ferdinand behind a locked gate. Here’s the catch: it’s a Level II Alohomora lock. If you haven't been collecting Demiguise Statues for Gladwin Moon, you’re going to be staring at that gate with a lot of regret. You cannot finish Portrait in a Pickle Hogwarts Legacy without the second tier of the unlocking spell.
Ferdinand is going to be incredibly rude when you find him. He doesn't care that you just fought through a gang of dark wizards. He just wants to get back to the Three Broomsticks. Or does he?
The Big Choice: Three Broomsticks or the Boar's Head?
This is where the quest gets actually interesting. You have a choice on where to take him. You can be the "good" student and return him to the Three Broomsticks, where he’ll go right back to being a nuisance. Or, you can take him to the Hog's Head Inn.
Taking him to the Hog's Head is the "chaotic" choice, and honestly, it’s the funnier one. The Hog's Head is... gritty. It’s dirty. It’s full of people who do not care about Ferdinand’s lineage or his opinions on student conduct. If you put him there, he is miserable. It doesn't change the rewards you get—you still get the Gold and the Oddities Shelf—but it changes the flavor of the ending.
Most people worry that choosing the "mean" option will lock them out of content. It won't. Hogwarts Legacy isn't like Mass Effect; there’s no morality meter that’s going to stop you from learning spells later. It’s just about how much of a jerk you want to be to a painting that’s already a jerk to you.
Why This Quest Can Be Annoying
The travel time is the real killer. Marunweem is deep in the late-game area. If you pick up this quest early in the game, it might sit in your log for ten hours while you wait to get strong enough to survive the Poidsear Coast transition.
Also, the dialogue. Ferdinand talks. A lot. He’s voiced with a specific kind of aristocratic sneer that makes you want to leave him in the ruins. But, the reward is worth it for completionists. The Oddities Shelf is a nice addition to the Room of Requirement, and let’s be real, we all need more furniture for our personalized space.
Tactical Tips for the Marunweem Ruins
- Check your Level: Don't go down there if you're under level 20 unless you're a parry god. The Ashwinders there hit hard.
- The Bridge: There’s a bridge near the ruins that often triggers a separate encounter. Keep your eyes peeled for Inferi if you're traveling at night.
- Stealth vs. Force: If you use Petrificus Totalus while invisible, you can clear the entire cellar without Ferdinand ever knowing you were there. It saves a lot of health potions.
Final Steps for Completion
Once you’ve made your choice and placed the frame, the quest is technically done. You’ll get your 180 XP and your new Conjuration recipe. If you put him in the Three Broomsticks, go talk to him later. He’s still a prick. If you put him in the Hog's Head, enjoy the silence.
✨ Don't miss: Nintendo Switch Pokemon Diamond: Why the Remakes Still Divide Fans
The Portrait in a Pickle Hogwarts Legacy mission is a perfect example of the game's world-building. It shows that even the "good guys" (the portraits of the school) can be total villains in the eyes of the students. It’s not just a fetch quest; it’s a bit of magical justice.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your Alohomora level. If you don't have Level II, go hunt down those Demiguise moons first.
- Fly to the Poidsear Coast. Don't try to walk the whole way from Hogwarts; use the Floo Flame network to get as close as possible to the Marunweem Lake region.
- Clear the bandits. Use Glacius + Diffindo for high burst damage to clear the camp quickly.
- Decide his fate. Choose the Hog's Head if you want the most satisfying narrative conclusion to a character who spends his life snitching on teenagers.