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The Tracking Spell[1] (Appare Vestigium)[2] is a charm that reveals and illuminates traces of recent magical activity, and shows magical footprints and track marks in an area.[2]

History

In 1927, Newton Scamander employed Appare Vestigium in his investigative attempt to track the whereabouts of Porpentina Goldstein.[1]

Etymology

The spell has two components, appare, a Latin word in the imperative form (present active, second-person, singular) meaning "you appear (now)", a conjugation of the verb appareo ("I appear, or come into sight"),[3] and vestigium, Latin for "footprint or track", or in a broader sense, any form of "trace, vestige or mark".[4] Together, the incantation Appare Vestigium can be interpreted as a command, "footprints, traces, you appear now".

See also

Behind the scenes

Appearances

Notes and references

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