open to everyone
For twenty-eight years, Harry had celebrated his birthday at midnight, alone, and by himself. Each year, he'd watch the clock until it ticked it's hands to midnight, and then he would blow out imaginary candles and wish himself a happy birthday. For eleven years of his life, this was all Harry had as a birthday, except for the time when Hagrid knocked down the door to the shack on the rock to give him his letter and a smushed birthday cake. Since his thirteenth birthday, he had someone that acknowledged his birthday, but he always kept his private traditions to himself.
This year, he sat with Ginny out on the beach until midnight, and the tide rolled in.
Towards the end of his birthday, Ginny had taken him out to give him a personal birthday present, other than those left upon his bed. It amused him that everyone still gifted him chocolate and sweets, when it was more than obvious that he needed to cut back and do some sit ups instead. She took him to the bar, which was still hopping this late in the evening.
He was slightly suspicious about that, but he didn't comment to Ginny. When he opened the door and everyone shouted Happy Birthday, Harry smiled broadly and waved to everyone in the room.
"You did this?" He asked Ginny with a smile before giving her a chaste kiss on the lips. He'd thank her again later, when they were alone.
He opened himself up to talk to his friends and family, many of whom had never celebrated a birthday with him before.