Revealing Charm

• Incantation: Aparecium or Specialis Revelio
• Pronunciation: ah-par-EE-see-um (for Aparecium); spe-see-AH-lis re-VEL-ee-oh (for Specialis Revelio)
• Wand Movement: Unknown
• Light: Unknown
• Effect: A general-purpose charm used to force concealed things to become visible. Its specific application varies depending on the incantation and the nature of the concealment.
  • Aparecium is used specifically to reveal text written in invisible ink or other magically hidden messages.
  • Specialis Revelio is a more diagnostic charm used to identify any concealed magical properties, such as curses or hexes, on an object.
• Type: Charm

The Revealing Charm, particularly the Aparecium variation, is a fundamental spell taught to young students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is included in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk. Notable uses throughout the series include:

• In 1992, Hermione Granger attempted to use Aparecium on Tom Riddle's Diary to see if it contained any hidden writing. The charm failed, presumably because the magic concealing the diary's nature as a Horcrux was far too powerful for such a basic spell to penetrate.
• In 1996, Hermione Granger cast Specialis Revelio on Harry Potter's copy of Advanced Potion-Making to check for any dark enchantments hidden within its pages. The spell yielded no results, indicating that the handwritten notes from the Half-Blood Prince were merely ink and not imbued with any dangerous magic.
• Later that year, Professor Severus Snape also non-verbally cast Specialis Revelio on Harry Potter's Potions textbook to investigate the source of Harry's unexpected success, with the same negative result.

Some magical objects are specifically enchanted to resist general revealing charms. The Marauder's Map, for example, would not reveal its secrets to a simple charm and instead required a specific password (“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good”) to be activated.

As the spell Aparecium is part of the first-year curriculum, it is considered a relatively simple charm to master for any competent witch or wizard. There is no known direct counter-spell for the Revealing Charm. Defence against it involves using powerful and complex concealing enchantments that can overpower the charm's effects, as demonstrated by the diary of Tom Riddle.

• Aparecium: This incantation is derived directly from the Latin verb appareo, which means “to appear,” “to become visible,” or “to be seen.” The suffix -ium is a common Latin noun ending, making the word's meaning roughly “that which makes appear.”
• Specialis Revelio: This is a combination of two Latin words. Specialis means “special” or “particular.” Revelo is the first-person singular present form of the verb revelare, meaning “I reveal” or “I unveil.” Together, the phrase translates to “I reveal (something) special,” fitting its use to identify specific, hidden properties of an object.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione Granger is shown casting Aparecium on the diary, and the effect (or lack thereof) is depicted as it is in the novel. (film)
• The Revealing Charm is a prominent gameplay mechanic in the LEGO Harry Potter video games. Casting it on sparkling objects often reveals hidden bricks, pathways, or interactive items necessary for progression. (video game)