Roy entered the Principal's Office, where the portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses greeted him warmly. Their murmurs of approval and curiosity filled the room as Roy approached his desk.
Turning to Phineas Black, he said calmly, "Call Professor Snape to my office."
Phineas nodded and promptly summoned Snape, who arrived a few moments later, his usual sharp expression in place.
"Severus," Roy began, "for the next few months, until the year is completed, I want you to take up the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Snape's expression softened slightly, a faint smile appearing. "Understood," he replied, inclining his head.
As Snape turned to leave, Roy spoke again, his voice carrying quiet authority: "The curse that has plagued every Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in the past… is lifted."
Snape paused mid-step. He turned slowly, fixing his eyes on Roy for a few seconds. Though no words were exchanged, Snape's gaze conveyed understanding. He could deduce exactly what had happened and how it was connected to Dolores Umbridge. Choosing to remain silent, Snape simply nodded and left the office, leaving behind an air of quiet respect and acknowledgment.
Once he was gone, the portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses began to murmur amongst themselves, some guessing the events that had unfolded. Relief washed over them: the long-standing curse, which had been a plague on Hogwarts' faculty for decades, was finally broken.
For the first time in many years, the Defense Against the Dark Arts position was free of its ominous shadow, and the teachers and students alike could move forward without fear of the past repeating itself.