Seriously, Avalanche Software, you tease us with those shimmering lake dwellers in the first game and then... poof? Nothing but soggy boots and disappointment? Playing through that "Mer-ky Depths" quest felt like being promised a slap-up feast at the Great Hall and getting handed a stale Cauldron Cake instead. Nerida Roberts, bless her heart, looked like a Kneazle who'd seen a ghost, standing there dry as a bone while I did the underwater heavy lifting. And what did I get for my troubles? A glimpse of some fancy fins? A polite underwater wave? Nah, mate. Zilch. Nada. The giant squid probably chuckled at me from the depths. 
Look, I loved the first Hogwarts Legacy. Wandered those hallowed halls like I owned the place, chucked spells like confetti at a Weasley wedding, and even managed to sell enough roasted Graphorn horns to buy out Honeydukes. It stomping the competition as 2023's top seller wasn't a fluke – it nailed the magic of being a student. Mostly. But those Merpeople? They became the game's biggest 'almost.' That quest dangled the carrot harder than a Blast-Ended Skrewt chases a flame. You could practically feel the ripples of anticipation... only for the lake surface to go suspiciously calm.
It wasn't just teasing; it felt like someone started building a magnificent aquarium exhibit for Grindylows and then forgot to put the fish in! The underwater bit itself? Over quicker than a Snitch chase. Gorgeous, sure, with the sunbeams slicing through the murk like liquid gold, but emptier than Filch's heart. The game practically screamed "Wassup, Merpeople!" and all I heard back was the lonely gurgle of my own disappointment. Those slippery legends deserved better!
But hey, here we are in 2025, and Hogwarts Legacy 2 is officially brewing! This isn't just a sequel; it's a second chance. A golden opportunity to finally let us dive deep – properly deep – into the Black Lake's secrets and actually shake hands (fins?) with the locals. The first game left the door wide open... well, more like the floodgates. We've got the lore! We've got the magic! We just need Avalanche to stop being shy and let the Merpeople out to play.
Imagine the possibilities! Instead of that fleeting, fish-less dip for Nerida's trinket, we could have entire underwater zones buzzing with life. And how do we get down there? Oh, honey, we've got OPTIONS:
| Underwater Survival Kit (Wizarding Edition) | What it Does | Potential Hilarity Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Gillyweed 🥦 | Grows handy gills and flippers. Very authentic. | Tastes like bog water mixed with regret. Temporary webbed toes? Tripping hazard on land. |
| Bubble-Head Charm 💨 | Conjures a nifty, breathable bubble around yer noggin. | Pop it at depth? Instant, embarrassing reverse fountain. Looks utterly ridiculous in portraits. |
| Piscifors Transfiguration 🐟 | Turns you (or maybe someone else?) into a fish. | Accidentally turn your mate into a flounder? Permanent piscine problems? Endless comedic potential. |
Honestly, just the thought of cruising past swaying kelp forests on Gillyweed-powered flippers, waving at grumpy-looking Grindylows, and finally, finally, having a proper natter with a Merperson... my inner fifth-year is doing cartwheels. These aren't just background critters like the fluffy Puffskeins; the Merpeople are a whole underwater civilization with their own language (all those eerie clicks and whistles!), their own rules, and probably some epic lake gossip about the Giant Squid's love life. Hogwarts Legacy 1 gave them the cold shoulder, but Legacy 2? Time to roll out the welcome mat. Or the welcome... coral?
Sure, the first game was a banger. Top seller for a reason! But it also felt like it was just scratching the surface of this magical world. The Merpeople situation was the poster child for "so much potential left bubbling under the surface." Other bits too – remember wishing the classes had more meat on their bones? Or that the Room of Requirement could get really weird? The sequel has mountains of room to climb.
So, Avalanche, consider this my very polite, very hopeful plea wrapped in a slightly soggy towel: Don't leave us high and dry again. Hogwarts Legacy 2 needs to take the plunge. Let us explore the murky depths, master those watery magics, and give the Merpeople the starring role they were cruelly denied last time. My flippers are packed, my Bubble-Head Charm is practiced (fingers crossed it holds!), and I'm ready to finally ask a Merperson: "Where were you hiding last game, eh?" Don't make me send a Howler addressed to the bottom of the Black Lake. My voice carries.
The castle's great, the grounds are grand, but in 2025, this wizard's heart belongs to the deep. Bring on the soggy adventures! Just... maybe pack a waterproof wand holster, yeah?