Harry squinted his eyes as the light of the day hit his face. The soft texture of the mattress and blanket covered his half-naked state as he stretched. Today was his birthday, there was a time in his life when he didn't care about the date and simply went on with the day. Now, however, was different— he had a family that celebrated it with him— and that alone made Harry excited for the day.

His hand reached for his wife, but instead of hugging her all Harry caught was empty space. He opened his eyes and saw Daphne's side of the bed was empty. Harry sat up and saw a note she left by his bedside.

Good morning, love!

I had to go to the office early, there was an emergency.

Love,

Daphne

Harry placed back the note and rubbed his eye before stretching his arms. He hid his disappointment at waking up on his birthday without Daphne on his side. Things happen, and it was probably just some coincidence or fate playing with him.

He quickly grabbed some morning robe and pants then washed his face to make himself he looked decent before coming down for breakfast. As soon as he stepped out of his room, Harry realized that the manor was uncharacteristically silent.

I suppose the kids are still asleep. Harry thought as he let his legs carry him to the family dining hall. It was a small dining room the family used daily, Harry and Daphne thought it would be more fitting rather than using the large dining halls intended for many people.

The room was large enough for the family to even have 3 guests present. It had large open windows that bought in natural light to the room with curtains daintily clipped at its side. A humble-sized chandelier lay on the ceiling with clear crystals that made light reflect from them.

Harry sat at the head of the table and Bogie the elf popped as soon as he was seated.

"Good morning, Master Harry! What would Master like for breakfast?" Bogie asked. He was the elf in charge of the kitchen and food for the family. At first, there had been a misunderstanding when Harry tried cooking in the kitchen which resulted in Bogie crying thinking he was a bad elf and Harry calmly explained and had negotiations with the kitchen elf. They had an agreement that Harry could use the kitchen to cook for the family every once in a while but Bogie would still cook for the majority.

"Good morning to you too Bogie, an English breakfast paired with coffee would be wonderful" Harry answered with a smile.

"Will do, Master Harry!" Bogie enthusiastically replied before disappearing. Harry shook his head with a smile before calling Annie.

"What can Annie do to Master Harry?" the head elf asked with a bow before looking up at Harry.

"Are the kids still asleep, normally at this hour they're starting to get up" Harry asked. Having breakfast with the family was a must in their household. Especially when the kids were all in the manor considering they spent 10 months in Hogwarts in a year. Daphne may not be there for breakfast and greet him but at least he would be with their kids.

"Master Harry, little masters and mistresses Jay, Izzie, Cy, and Lily not be in the manor" Annie replied bowing.

Harry's brow furrowed. They were not in the manor this early in the morning? Thoughts of his family being kidnapped or worse came rushing in but Harry bit down the reaction to sprint and find them. The wards didn't notify him something happened and the wards around the manor weren't some jokes considering it was reinforced and occasionally renewed.

"Do you know where they are?" Harry asked. His breakfast appeared on the table together with his coffee.

"Little Master Jay and Cy went to Mister Alec's for helping with the new greenhouse. Little Mistress Iz went to Lady and Lord Greeny, while little mistress Lily be at Malfoys, Master Harry" Annie replied.

"Ah" Harry's disappointed reply, "Thank you, Miss Annie," Harry thanked the head elf before taking a sip from his coffee and eating his breakfast. His heart felt heavy as he ate breakfast alone on his birthday. The last memory of him spending breakfast alone on his birthday was a long, long, long time ago. He was still at the Dursley's then!

"They probably forgot" Harry mumbled as he took a bite of the egg. Daphne had an emergency and the kids probably had plans that they forgot to tell Harry. He reasoned that it was normal that the kids weren't able to tell Harry about their plans due to forgetfulness. It was fine. They'll come home later after lunch probably and he'll finally spend the day he loved— with his family.

_o_

Oh, lunch did come. Though his family didn't.

Harry was now busying himself with looking at photographs they had. From his great-great-great grandfather to his Grandparents Charlus and Dorea, to his parents, to him and Daphne, and photos of their kids.

He smiled as he saw one particular picture. A family portrait with him, Daphne, Teddy, James, Isabelle, Cyril, and Lily posing formally then Teddy changing his nose into a pig which prompted the family to snigger in the photo. It was taken back a few years ago during Christmas. Teddy was 15, the twins 10, Cy 7, and Lily 8. They were all so small except for Teddy who at the moment was already matching Harry's height. Now, Teddy was already 21 and gearing up for taking up Lord Black. Harry was ecstatic that he would be passing on the mantle to his godson who was as good as his eldest if you were to ask him. The twins were now 16 and entering their 6th year at Hogwarts. Jay was a magnificent Keeper in the quidditch team while Izzie was blossoming as a prefect and part of the choir group. Cyril is now 13 entering 3rd year while Izzie was 10 nearing 11 this August and starting Hogwarts by September.

All his children were all growing up and he was proud of what they have accomplished already. Who would've thought that the lonely orphan boy in Surrey would now be living in his own home with his family?

He closed the photo book and looked up. The manor was really empty and bigger than he was alone at the moment. The kids and Daphne were still not at home and Harry was starting to feel down with the day. He looked at the clock and noticed it was already 1 p.m. Seeing the time, Harry grabbed his mirror and called his kids.

There was no answer.

Harry was now seriously concerned and was agitating to just apparate to where they were.

"What in Godric's Beard are they doing they can't answer their mirrors" he grumbled as he tried calling the people they were probably with.

"Neville Longbottom" Harry intoned to his mirror, he waited for a few seconds before his friend answered.

"Harry! To what do I owe the pleasure?" Neville said.

"It's good to see you Nev" Harry greeted back with a smile, "I just want to ask if Jay and Cy are there. Miss Annie told me they went there to help with a greenhouse" Harry asked.

"Oh yeah, they went at the manor to help Alec with building his own greenhouse" Neville answered looking down and adjusting something on his end.

"Can you tell them to answer my mirror calls or call them, I haven't been hearing from them since I woke up. I just wanted to make sure they're fine" Harry replied.

"About that, I'm currently at Hogwarts. Minerva called for a meeting" Neville sheepishly answered before turning his head and looking back at Harry.

"Sorry mate, I got to go. Meeting's starting, I'm sure they'll call you back" Neville said goodbye before turning off the connection.

Harry rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index before calling the next people he knew. They didn't answer him, and he tried calling via floo and there was still no answer. He tried calling Daphne, but it only said it was busy. Even her office told him she was in the middle of a meeting.

"If she still hasn't taken her lunch, kindly remind or bring it to her meeting, please. Thank you" Harry said before pulling his head out of the fireplace. He shook his head to get rid of the dizziness. Despite having used floo call a lot of times, Harry still got dizziness from it.

He stood up and grabbed his wand and produced 4 prongs and looked at them.

"You haven't been answering my calls and you've been gone since I woke up. Where are you and are you alright?" Harry's voice was filled with concern as the 4 prongs bounded up and disappeared. If they don't answer within 5 minutes, Harry was going to storm where they were.

A couple of minutes later, he received 2 patroni from Jay and Izzie, a black bear and a polar bear respectively came back with their response.

"Dad, sorry for not noticing the call. Me and Cyril are at the Longbottom manor still helping with the greenhouse. Both of us are perfectly fine! A bit tired and excited at the same time!" Jay's voice came from the Black Bear before disappearing.

"I'm so sorry for not answering your calls dad! I accidentally left my mirror there. I'm with Lily right now at Greengrass manor and both of us are fine. Sorry for making you worry" Izzie's voice from the Polar Bear before disappearing.

Harry gave a sigh of relief before slumping back on the sofa. After getting over his relief Harry sighed again and rested his head at the top, staring at the ceiling, feeling lonely.

"Yup, they forgot," he said to himself before closing his eyes and standing up. He summoned his coat and a self-inking quill before conjuring a parchment. He wrote down a message on the parchment and then called Annie.

"Miss Annie" Harry called then there was a pop and Annie appeared bowing at Harry.

"Yes, Master Harry?" Annie asked. Harry smiled before handing her the parchment.

"If anyone comes home please give them this parchment. Thank you, Miss Annie," Harry thanked the elf as she accepted the parchment he handed. He wore his coat before using the door in the kitchen to go outside.

Went to Grandpa James and Grandma Lily.

Love,

Harry

_o_

The skies were now starting to darken as Harry came back from his parent's grave. He stayed there for a while talking to them as he cleaned their tomb. He was now 39, far older than his parents ever were. It was bittersweet for Harry, despite being that age he still wished his parents were alive to celebrate with him. Especially now that his family has seemed to forget his birthday.

He walked towards the manor whose only lights were from the outside and the inside was still dark.

"They still haven't returned home?" Harry asked worriedly. His mirror was still and silent, no calls, although he did receive a call from Daphne that her meeting was finished but she still had to stay at the office.

As he reached the door and it opened for him, Harry almost fired a spell when he heard a band and a flash of light.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" people screamed at him, and Harry had to squint his eyes due to the surprise before opening them.

There greeting was his family together with their close friends. A banner proudly levitated saying "Happy Birthday Harry!" Izzie holding a chocolate cake with Jay and Teddy on her side waving balloons. Cy and Lily were adorned with party hats, with Lily having a party horn on her mouth. Daphne was also there looking at him with amused eyes and an easy smile.

Harry just stood there his mouth ajar looking at the people who were smiling at him. He wasn't expecting this! His heart was currently running fast with the surprise and shock.

"Close your mouth love, we wouldn't want you eating some flies now on your birthday, would we?" Daphne teased as she approached and closed his mouth with her hand.

"Happy Birthday, love" Daphne greeted and kissed his lips. There was cat calling and Cy's puking noise. Harry smiled before pulling out of the kiss.

"You remembered? I thought you forgot" Harry said as he was ushered inside.

"Forgot? Harry, it would be impossible for us to forget your birthday!" Hermione said as she approached him and gave him her signature hug.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world!" Ron said and gave him a manly hug.

"Happy Birthday, Dad!" The four said in unison as they neared him next. Izzie gave Harry the cake for him to hold.

"Sorry about earlier, we wanted to share breakfast with you, but mom said it would ruin the surprise," Jay said with a smile.

"So where were you bunch?" Harry asked the kids then he turned to Daphne, "Did you really have a meeting?" Harry asked as Teddy made put a party hat on him and gave him a hug.

"Yes, I was a meeting with them to help me organize this surprise party" Daphne answered as she levitated the cake from Harry.

Harry looked around still shocked by everything that has transpired. He chuckled and shook his head before giving them a lopsided smile.

"Thank you so much, everyone… I don't know what to say but thank you" Harry thanked as he tried to find words to express himself.

Everyone laughed at him before congratulating him again. Harry went on and received hugs and handshakes from everyone present. Even the elves popped in to greet him and apologize for not greeting him earlier since they were asked by Daphne too.

"Come on everyone! Let's head to the kitchen and eat some wonderful dishes prepared by Bogie!" Daphne announced and people trooped inside heading to the dining hall. Daphne, Teddy, Jay, Izzie, Cy, and Lily stayed behind.

"Happy Birthday dad, sorry we made you worried earlier," Izzie said giving his dad a hug which Harry returned and kissed her head.

"I told mom that me and Cy should stay with you for breakfast before heading out, but she said it would ruin the surprise!" Lily complained as she went in for a hug too.

"Yeah, your mom can be that mean sometimes," Harry said which earned him a playful smack in the arm.

"But you were surprised, weren't you?" Daphne asked. Her arm snaked around his waist then bumped him.

"I was, thank you for that" Harry affectionately looked at his family and bumped back Daphne.

"You" Harry looked at his eldest, Teddy just changed his hair to blue eyes full of mirth,

I thought you were out of town?" he asked.

"Yeah, what I meant was out of the "townhouse"" Teddy teased before giving in for a hug "Happy Birthday dad, and thank you for being there" he whispered, Harry tightened his hug to Teddy before letting go.

"Come on Teddy, stop being so cheesy" Jay quipped tapping his feet. Harry and Teddy let go of the hug and smirked at Teddy.

"Cheesy huh? It wasn't me who was so reluctant to leave the manor so early because "but dad's going to be lonely!"" Teddy teased Jay. There were chuckles around as Jay avoided everyone's gaze and prompting to look at the ground with his ears red.

"How'd you manage to wake him early, though?" Harry asked. Jay was a heavy sleeper whenever he was home and would make sure to grab every minute of his sleep.

"Let's just say Izzie and Teddy had to drag him out of his bed and acted like a big baby" Cyril teased.

"Oi!" Jay complained.

Harry simply laughed and ruffled their hair before the two could get into an argument.

"Ok, enough chat, our guests are waiting" Daphne clapped and the kids together with Teddy started to walk towards the dining hall. Harry's hands held Daphne's as they followed their kids. As they entered the hall another set of "Happy Birthday Harry!" greeted him.

Harry smiled and thanked every entity listening to him for giving him the best gift he could ever receive— a family.

a/n

hello~

Happy birthday Harry! A day late in my time but hey, Happy Birthday still! I hope you liked this and thank you so much for the love you gave this little drabbles I have! I hope you have a great day ahead! Still no beta btw LMAOOOO