Human-presence-revealing Spell

The Human-presence-revealing Spell^[1] (Homenum Revelio) is a charm which reveals the presence of other humans in the surrounding environment. The spell indicates a body by a marker which can be felt by the target as something "swooping" low over him or her.

History

It was used in 1991 and 1993 by Dumbledore, nonverbally, to detect Harry and Ron under the former's Invisibility cloak^[1].

In 1997, Hermione Granger used this spell at 12 Grimmauld Place after escaping pursuing Death Eaters. Later that year, Death Eaters (either Selwyn or Travers), used this spell to locate Harry Potter at Xenophilius Lovegood's house. It is possible that it is related to the spell Specialis Revelio, and it is very likely that the spell cannot detect magical creatures such as house-elves, goblins, etc.

Known practitioners

Albus Dumbledore

Hermione Granger

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• Selwyn or Travers

Etymology

Hominum is the genitive, plural form of the Latin word homo, which means "person"^[2]. Also in Latin, revelo means "I unveil or reveal"^[3].

See also

• Revelio Charm
• Specialis Revelio
• Revealing Charm
• Scarpin's Revelaspell

Behind the scenes

• J.K. Rowling stated that Albus Dumbledore could cast a non-verbal Human-presence-revealing spell. This is the reason he was able to know Harry was present even while under the Invisibility cloak^[1].

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Nonverbally)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Nonverbally)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (Nonverbally)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First identified as Human-presence-revealing Spell)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Notes and references