Key side quests

The companion quests are the game’s best writing. Sebastian’s strand is the dark one, Poppy’s is the kind one, and Natsai’s sits between. Each unlocks spells, broom upgrades, or beast access you will want anyway. Do them as they appear rather than saving them for post-game; they assume a mid-story student.

Beyond companions, prioritize the quests that teach: the broom trials, the Room of Requirement introduction, and the loom unlock. Those three change what you can do. The rest — lost pages, stolen carts, haunted shops — are pleasant walks. Take them when a region is already on your map, not as expeditions.