Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure in Hogwarts? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exciting side quest, Portrait in a Pickle. Get ready to retrieve Ferdinand Octavius Pratt’s missing portrait and discover what lies ahead!
How to Start Portrait in a Pickle
To unlock this quest, you must first complete “In the Shadow of the Relic,” which is one of the later quests in Sebastian Sallow’s relationship quest line. Once you have accomplished that, head to the Library in Hogwarts school to locate Ferdinand Octavius Pratt’s portrait. When you speak to him, he’ll reveal that his second portrait, previously situated at the Three Broomsticks Inn in Hogsmeade, has been stolen by Astoria Crickett. Ferdinand will ask for your help in finding his missing portrait.
The first step is to visit The Three Broomsticks Inn in Hogsmeade. Speak to Astoria to determine the whereabouts of the stolen portrait. Astoria explains that she hired Ashwinders to steal the portrait because Ferdinand is known for snitching on students and being an arrogant “Pratt” (clever wordplay, right?).
Where to Find Ferdinand’s Missing Portrait
Your next task is to make your way to the enemy camp located in Marunweem Ruins, west of the hamlet of Marunweem. If you’ve already ventured this far south, you can save time by utilizing a Floo Flame!
Once you reach the camp, you’ll encounter a variety of Ashwinder enemies and Inferni. Remember to use fire spells against Inferni to break their initial spell invulnerability. As for the Ashwinder enemies, use specific colored spells based on the color of their protego. Additionally, there are throwable objects scattered around the area, making it easier to clear out the enemies.
Once all the enemies have been defeated, search for a partially hidden staircase behind a wall of barrels. Be aware that there is another set of stairs nearby, but these won’t lead you to Ferdinand’s location. Follow the stairs downwards until you find Ferdinand’s portrait, securely locked away. It’s a level II lock, so you’ll need the second iteration of Alohomora to unlock it. Solve the lock pick puzzle, and then have a conversation with Ferdinand.
Should You put Ferdinand in the Hog’s Head or The Three Broomsticks?
Oh boy, Ferdinand is still as snooty as ever! He insists on going back to The Three Broomsticks. However, you have one of three choices. You can return him to The Three Broomsticks, which will make Ferdinand grateful. Alternatively, you can select “Returning you to The Three Broomsticks isn’t my only option” and suggest taking him to the Hog’s Head instead. At first, Ferdinand won’t believe you, but after a conversation, you’ll need to go to Hogsmeade and decide whether to place his portrait on a wall in the Hog’s Head or The Three Broomsticks. The Hog’s Head seems like a fitting place for Ferdinand’s snobbish nature, don’t you think?
Should You Burn Ferdinand’s Portrait?
If you truly despise Ferdinand and want to take it to the extreme, there’s an even more drastic option than placing him in the Hog’s Head. Instead of returning the portrait to either of the Hogsmeade taverns, you can choose to burn it and put an end to Ferdinand’s snitching once and for all! To follow this path, engage in the following dialogue:
- “Returning you to The Three Broomsticks isn’t my only option.”
- “I could burn you.”
- “Very well. Burning it is.”
If you decide to go down this fiery route, equip a burning spell such as Confringo, Bombarda, or Incendio, and set the portrait ablaze to complete the quest. It may be a brutal choice, but some may argue it’s a well-deserved ending. Regardless of your decision regarding Ferdinand, you will earn the same reward: a conjuration recipe for the Oddities Shelf and +180 XP.
Remember, the journey through Hogwarts is full of unexpected twists and turns. So gather your courage, sharpen your wand, and get ready for an enchanting quest that will test your skills and decision-making abilities. Happy portrait hunting!