Hogwarts Legacyis filled with fun nods and references to the beloved Harry Potter franchise, but one fan may have just discovered an Easter egg that's managed to elude players. Once players have completed their first Potions class, they'll have to sit through a quick debrief with Professor Sharp, after which they'll be able to head to Hogsmeade and trigger a particularly interesting side quest. After speaking with Clementine Willardsey at The Three Broomsticks, users will be tasked with venturing into the Forbidden Forest as they track down swarms of butterflies.
Posting to Reddit, user DreamingInfraviolet pointed out that the aforementioned quest is titled "Follow the Butterflies," which is likely a reference to Ron Weasley's iconic line in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: "Why spiders? Why couldn't it be 'follow the butterflies?'"
While it's unknown if the quest is specifically designed as an homage to the moment, actor Rupert Grint's line delivery has often been praised since the actor is genuinely scared of spiders. The community was quick to champion the discovery, noting that it was likely an intentional nod to the movies.
Follow The Butterflies Isn't The Only Movie Reference
Hogwarts Legacy Is Filled With Them
Beyond the fact that Hogwarts Legacy's aesthetic is heavily inspired by the Harry Potter movies, the game also features plenty of nods to smaller moments that some players may easily overlook. One of the most documented is the girl's bathroom which acts as an entrance to the Chamber of Secrets; There's even a field guide page that notes that there's a small snake symbol scratched onto one of the taps. In a different bathroom, players can discover a cauldron filled with Polyjuice Potion, another Chamber of Secrets reference.
A more obscure Easter egg involves players discovering a book by Owle Bullock titled The Secrets of the Dark Arts, which is of major importance to the plot of Harry Potter. That textbook was discovered by a young Tom Riddle who used its teachings to split his soul into the various Horcruxes. Voldemort may only show up decades after the events of Hogwarts Legacy, but it's fun to see a small part of his origin story.
Hogwarts Legacy has a confirmed sequel, and while nothing else is yet known, it might be the perfect time to switch the focus to a new school.
Easter Eggs Are Better When They're Subtle
Especially When They Homage Something Iconic
Hogwarts Legacy players deducing the "Follow the Butterflies" reference is fun because it's not an Easter egg that's blasted into players' faces. I have to imagine that only diehard fans will understand the meaning behind the quest's title but those who may not be as familiar with the movies won't feel left out because it's such a small part of the massive game. One can only imagine how many similar references are still hiding, waiting to be discovered.
Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our support for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. Support services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.
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