What the fuck was this thing?
Harry was utterly stunned.
But Harry was no longer a novice wizard. From Peter's actions and the words he was muttering, along with the changes in the liquid in the cauldron, he could still deduce that this was probably an evil ritual magic.
Modern magic was used for everyday life and simple combat, convenient enough to require only an incantation and a gesture.
By contrast, much of ancient magic and the even older ancient sorcery required complex incantations, movements, materials, sacrifices, and so on. Ritual magic stood out even among these complex forms of magic.
Hogwarts' current curriculum contained no practical instruction whatsoever in ritual magic, but in History of Magic and Potions, the professors would still mention aspects of it, whether intentionally or otherwise.
In Harry's memory, the ritual magic Professor Binns had mentioned in History of Magic seemed somewhat similar to what Peter was doing now. But what effect could Peter's ritual magic produce?
What had he just said?
Rebirth?
Was that even possible?
While Harry was still puzzling over it, Peter did something else that stunned him beyond belief. Trembling, he actually took a dagger from inside his clothes, then said in a voice choked with sobs, "Flesh of the servant-willingly... given... you will revive... your master..."
Then, before Harry's horrified eyes, he actually severed his right hand, which was missing a finger, at the wrist.
Blood spattered, and the severed hand fell into the cauldron with a hiss.
The liquid churned even more violently, its bubbles gurgling, accompanied by Peter's screams of pain.
Harry was so shocked he could barely contain himself, his mouth hanging wide open.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a sorry sight." Dismask chuckled, then raised a hand. An oddly shaped wand that looked as though it was