I think the communications aspects are considered to fall under Charms (messenger patronus, protean charm on DA coins, unspecified charm on Marauders' Map and mirror pair, howlers, etc.) but finding water or lost things or just scrying the present in a gramerhain, clouds, or pool of water has lots of literary tradition ignored in fanfic as much as in canon. Of course, how any form of magic actually works and esp. why is largely ignored by canon, just like the overall logic deficiencies of the plot.
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows