How to unlock & complete 'In the Shadow of Time' in Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy may seem all sweet and innocent, but under the surface, there’s an evil awaiting players. That evil is what some players may be looking to seek out, as it allows you to conjure the Unforgivable Curses in this Harry Potter world.

One of those spells you can find is the Imperio curse, and in order to unlock it, you will need to complete the quest In the Shadow of Time. If you want to find out how to get this quest, conquer it, and unlock the Imperio curse, here is a complete walkthrough.

Disclaimer: While the creator of the Harry Potter franchise was not directly involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy, their comments on social media around transgender people are hurtful and dangerous given the size of their platform.

We’d implore you to read our explainer of the controversy so far, and consider supporting trans rights charities where possible.

• UK:
  • Mermaids
  • Switchboard

• US:
  • The Trevor Project
  • Trans Lifeline

How to unlock 'In the Shadow of Time'

In order to unlock this quest, you will need to follow Sebastian Sallow’s quest line - a Slytherin student you meet in Hogwarts Legacy. Once you’ve begun this set of missions, you will need to complete the following to unlock In the Shadow of Time:

• In the Shadow of the Undercroft
• In the Shadow of the Estate
• In the Shadow of the Bloodline
• In the Shadow of the Study
• In the Shadow of Discovery

Click to enlarge

Alongside this, make sure you’ve completed Professor Weasley’s Assignment as another prerequisite to unlock In the Shadow of Time.

How to complete 'In the Shadow of Time'

In the Shadow of Time begins when you meet Sebastian at the Feldcroft Catacomb in Hogwarts Legacy. Together, you both will enter the catacombs before stumbling across a wave of spiders. Defeat them and then use Incendio on the web to advance further within.

Click to enlarge

Continue exploring and defeating spiders as they come toward you. There is also a Student Journal Entry on an altar you’ll want to collect. With this in hand, speak to Sebastian about its contents.

After this, another barricade will be blocking your way, but this time, it takes the form of a skeletal presence. In order to bypass it, search around for piles of bones and use Wingardium Leviosa to the barricade. Once you’ve found 3, the path forward will open.

Inside the next room, you’ll speak to Sebastian once again, who will give you the option to learn the Imperio curse. Choose to either accept or decline this and if you want to learn it, complete the on-screen instructions.

After making this decision, you’ll have to defeat more spiders before opening another skeleton barricade. Complete the same process before by finding three bone piles and advance forward.

Again, more spiders will overwhelm you and Sebastian, so take them out as necessary. Another cobweb blocks your path, so remove it and then find the Relic’s Note and Lost Relic Illustration. By finding this, you will trigger another conversation with Sebastian.

Finally, you will be able to leave the Catacombs and engage in a few more conversations with Sebastian and Ominis. You’ll then be asked to return to Feldcroft, where you will need to defend the area from Ranrok’s Loyalists. Once done, talk to Solomon Sallow.

Congratulations! You have now completed In the Shadow of Time in Hogwarts Legacy and have unlocked the Imperio curse to use freely. Enjoy being the evil wizard you’ve always wanted to be.

We also have a guide on how to get Fluxweed Stem in Hogwarts Legacy.