SALEM, Mass. – Students at Avistrum Academy were shocked yesterday by the unexpected appearance of Polonius Aberfoyle, the Secretary of Magic-elect who was rendered comatose when he shielded his election opponent, Oswald P. Kensington, from an assassination attempt during Aberfoyle’s victory speech last April.
Aberfoyle, a long-time professor of Transfiguration at the school, made the Academy his first stop after his release from the hospital yesterday.
Aberfoyle arrived in a wheelchair, but took his feet with the assistance of a cane to take the oath of office and assume his duties as Secretary of Magic. After lying comatose in a hospital bed for nearly 6 months, the new Secretary appeared extremely weak, but determined to finally begin his term. He addressed the students briefly, thanking them for their support and prayers during his ordeal.
Kensington, who has served as Acting Secretary since the attack, appeared relieved to relinquish the duties of the office, surprising some in the wizarding community. Kensington’s appointment has been called a “coup” by Aberfoyle’s own Progressive Wizards’ Party, and some pundits on the left expected Kensington to attempt to cling to the office even after Aberfoyle’s rehabilitation.
When asked about his time in the hospital, Aberfoyle was fairly circumspect, but described his ordeal in grim terms. “It was like being in a nightmare from which I couldn’t wake up.”
Despite the long convalescence, the Secretary appeared to be tired, with dark circles under his eyes, gaunt features, and pale skin. He had great difficulty walking, using the cane at all times, and needing to sit frequently. Nevertheless, there was a fire in his eyes when he spoke about the need to continue organizing against Simon Drake. “We will not yield our freedoms to his maniacal delusions of grandeur, and we will not allow him to foment war between us and the Muggles. We are going to fight back with every ounce of strength we have!”