Revealing Charm

Revealing Charm
Incantation	Aparecium (AH-par-EH-see-um)
Type	Charm
Hand movement	Loop
Effect	Reveals invisible writing

"The Revealing Charm will reveal invisible ink and messages hidden by magical means. Simply tap a book or parchment with your wand and any hidden message will be revealed. This spell is more than sufficient to overcome the basic concealing charms and so is a favourite of parents and teachers alike."

— Miranda Goshawk, Book of Spells.

The Revealing Charm (Aparecium) is a charm that forces invisible ink or other hidden messages to appear. It is also possible this spell can be used to make other invisible things reveal themselves. Hermione Granger used this spell on Tom Riddle's Diary to see if anything could be read. Nothing appeared after she used the spell because that was not the enchantment placed on the book.

Known practioneers

"She tapped the diary three times and said, "Aparecium!""

— Hermione using the spell on Tom Riddle's diary

• Bridget Wenlock
• Hermione Granger
• Numerous arithmancers and other developers.

Etymology

The Latin word appareo which means "to become visible or to appear".

Behind the scenes

• This is possibly the spell Severus Snape used to attempt to force the Marauder's Map to display its content, though it may also have been Scarpin's Revelaspell.
• According to Pottermore, the hand motion is thus:
  

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter Trading Card Game
• Wonderbook: Book of Spells (First identified as Revealing Charm)
• Pottermore