Over the course of the next four days, the hospital wing became Harry's sanctuary as he slowly began to heal. Madam Pomfrey's expert care and Hermione's unwavering presence played a significant role in his recovery.

Day 1:

Harry remained in a deep, seemingly unending sleep. His breathing was steady, but his face bore the pallor of someone who had endured a great ordeal. Hermione, her eyes heavy with exhaustion, rarely left his side. She whispered words of encouragement, as though her voice could reach him in his dreams, willing him to wake.

Ginny, Neville, and the rest of their friends took shifts, ensuring that Harry was never alone. They shared stories of their adventures and past Quidditch matches, hoping to provide a familiar comfort that might reach him in his unconscious state.

Day 2:

There were subtle changes on the second day. Harry's eyelids fluttered briefly, and Hermione's heart leaped with hope. Madam Pomfrey assured them that this was a positive sign, a sign that Harry's body was beginning to respond to the healing magic.

Harry's sleep was restless, plagued by fleeting images and fragments of memory. He murmured incoherent words, his brow furrowing in apparent distress. Hermione, her hand clasped in his, whispered soothing words, attempting to chase away the shadows that haunted his dreams.

Day 3:

On the third day, Harry's eyes finally opened, albeit drowsily. His gaze was unfocused, and he blinked as though trying to make sense of his surroundings. Hermione, her face alight with relief, gently squeezed his hand. "Harry, you're awake."

He managed a weak smile, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hermione... what happened?"

Ginny, who had been waiting anxiously by his bedside, leaned in. "You were attacked on the Quidditch pitch, Harry. But you're safe now. We're here for you."

Harry's memory was hazy, and he struggled to recall the events that had led to his current state. The dark figure, the dark phoenix, and the overwhelming power—it all seemed like a nightmare he couldn't quite grasp.

Day 4:

By the fourth day, Harry's strength had improved significantly. He was able to sit up with assistance and engage in short conversations. Madam Pomfrey continued to monitor his progress, her careful attention ensuring that he remained on the path to recovery.

Hermione, her eyes shining with happiness, shared the events of the past days with Harry. She told him about the Quidditch match, their victory, and the appearance of the mysterious stranger. Harry listened intently, the pieces of his fragmented memory slowly falling into place.

Draco Malfoy entered the hospital wing, his usual air of arrogance replaced by genuine concern. He had heard about Harry's condition and felt a twinge of guilt. Despite their differences in the past, they had become allies in the face of the mysterious threat that now loomed over Hogwarts.

"Potter," Draco said, his voice unusually soft, "how are you feeling?"

Harry managed a weak smile. "Better, thanks to Madam Pomfrey and Hermione here."

Draco's eyes softened as they fell on Hermione. "Granger," he said, his tone a tad less icy than usual. "I've heard what happened. I'm glad you're alright."

Hermione nodded, acknowledging the unspoken truce between them. "Thank you, Draco. We all need to stay vigilant and work together if we're going to uncover the truth behind these attacks."

Draco hesitated for a moment before speaking, his words laced with sincerity. "I want to help. I've seen enough darkness to recognize it, and whatever's coming, we need to be prepared."

Harry appreciated Draco's honesty and determination. "We're glad to have you with us, Draco. We need all the help we can get."

Draco nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "I've been doing some research about the dark phoenix. There are ancient texts in the Malfoy library that might have information. I'll bring them to you."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance. They had been poring over books and scrolls, searching for any mention of the dark phoenix and its connection to the mysterious attacks. Draco's offer was a valuable contribution to their efforts.

"Thank you, Draco," Hermione said, her voice warm with gratitude. "We'll look into those texts right away."

As Draco turned to leave, he hesitated once more, his gaze lingering on Harry. "You should rest, Potter. We'll handle the research for now. You need to regain your strength."

Harry nodded, appreciating Draco's concern. "I will, but I won't stop until we find out who's behind all of this."

With a determined nod, Draco left the hospital wing, leaving Harry and Hermione with a newfound sense of purpose.

A few days into Harry's recovery, the hospital wing's serene atmosphere was disrupted by the arrival of two Ministry Aurors, Robards and Savage. They were stern-faced, dressed in their dark robes, and carried an air of authority with them. Madam Pomfrey, recognizing the seriousness of their visit, led them to Harry's bedside.

"Mr. Potter," Auror Robards began, his tone businesslike, "we need to know exactly what happened during the incident on the Quidditch pitch. We've been investigating the matter, but your firsthand account is crucial."

Harry, though still weakened, nodded in understanding. Hermione, sitting by his side, clasped his hand reassuringly.

"I was on the Quidditch pitch celebrating Gryffindor's victory," Harry began, his voice steady despite the memories of the encounter still fresh in his mind. "Suddenly, a dark figure appeared. He had a phoenix with him, but it was unlike any phoenix I've ever seen—its eyes were cold, and it seemed to radiate darkness."

Auror Savage scribbled notes furiously as Harry continued his account. "He attacked me with powerful dark magic. It felt overwhelming, like nothing I've ever faced before. We tried to defend ourselves, but our spells were useless against him."

Auror Robards nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Mr. Potter, rest assured that we are taking this matter seriously. We'll do everything in our power to uncover the truth and ensure the safety of Hogwarts and its students."

As Harry recounted the events, his mind replayed the scene on the Quidditch pitch. He vividly remembered the intensity of the dark magic, the way it had crackled in the air, suffocating and overwhelming. His friends' faces, etched with determination as they fought alongside him, were etched into his memory.

Hermione interjected, her voice steady, "The dark phoenix seemed to be under the control of the figure. It attacked us with precision, as though it knew our every move before we made it."

Auror Robards exchanged a glance with his colleague, his expression grim. "We've encountered dark phoenixes before, but never one manipulated so effectively. This raises concerns about the dark wizard's capabilities. We need to identify him and understand his motives."

Harry nodded, his determination burning despite his weakened state. "He mentioned something about seeking power, about unleashing something ancient and dangerous. I think he's after something within Hogwarts, something related to its history."

Auror Savage scribbled furiously, his quill scratching against the parchment. "We'll look into the school's archives, delve into its history. There might be clues there, something that could help us anticipate his next move."

Madam Pomfrey, who had been listening intently, spoke up, her voice laced with worry. "Please, find out who's behind this and stop them. Hogwarts has always been a sanctuary for young witches and wizards. We cannot allow it to be threatened by dark forces."

Auror Robards nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Madam Pomfrey. We will spare no effort in protecting Hogwarts and its students."

As the Aurors left, promising to keep Harry and his friends updated on their progress, a newfound determination settled within the group. They had faced dangers before, but this threat felt different, more insidious. The dark wizard's motives remained unclear, but his power was undeniable.

Harry turned to Hermione, his eyes reflecting his resolve. "We can't wait for the Ministry to solve this for us. We need to investigate as well, gather information, and be prepared for whatever comes next."

Hermione nodded, her mind already racing with plans and strategies. "I agree, Harry. We can't afford to be passive. We have to be proactive and uncover the truth ourselves."

Their friends, gathered around them, exchanged determined glances. They were in this together, bound by friendship and a shared sense of duty. Hogwarts, their home, was in danger, and they would stop at nothing to protect it.

In the days that followed, while Harry continued to regain his strength, they delved into Hogwarts' extensive library, pouring over ancient texts and forgotten manuscripts. Every spare moment was dedicated to their research, to understanding the dark forces that threatened their world.

Draco, true to his word, brought them valuable information from the Malfoy library.

And as they worked tirelessly, they remained united, bound by their unwavering loyalty to each other and their shared resolve to protect Hogwarts from the looming darkness. The battle ahead was uncertain, but they faced it with courage, knowing that as long as they stood together, they had a fighting chance against even the most formidable of foes.