Cistem Aperio
Incantation	Cistem Aperio[1] (SEESS-tem a-PER-ioh)[1]
Type	Charm[1]
Hand Movement	Point wand at target[1]
Light	White[1]
Effect	Opens chests[1]

[Source]

Cistem Aperio is the incantation of a charm that is used to blast open a trunk, chest, box or crate with a burst of white light^[1].

Being more specific than other opening spells in that it works only on trunks, chests, boxes or crates, may increase the spell's potency against a warded target of the appropriate kind^[1].

Tom Riddle used this spell to blast open the chest in which Aragog, the pet-acromantula of Rubeus Hagrid, lived in during its time at Hogwarts Castle^[1].

EtymologyEdit

Aperio is Latin for open, uncover, to uncover, lay bare, reveal, or make clear, the source of the English "appear". Cistem is a corruption of cistam, a form of the Latin word for 'chest'.

Behind the scenesEdit

• This spell does not appear in the books.
• It may be related to Alohomora, Annihilare, Dunamis, Emancipare, Liberare, Open Sesame and Portaberto.
• Severus Snape may have used this spell to open Alastor Moody's trunk in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

AppearancesEdit

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Possible appearance)

Notes and referencesEdit