It was 1999. Voldemort had been defeated over six months ago. In the meantime, Harry had been busy making sure that the wizarding world was still running and that the vacuum of power that was left when Voldemort and his Death Eaters were vanquished was filled. Minerva McGonagall had been recently appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts and Kingsley Shacklebolt was acting Minister of Magic. Harry thought that the wizarding world will be just fine with these people running things. But now he didn't have much to do. Ginny and Hermione were halfway through their last year of studies, and wouldn't graduate until June. Auror school only began in August. That meant that he had a good six months with absolutely nothing to do.
On this particular day, Harry and Ron were moping around at 12 Grimmauld Place. Since Harry had decided to live here full time, he had spent some time cleaning up the place. He had gotten someone to refurbish the rooms, and he had even managed to take down the portrait of Walburga Black that had been hanging in the corridor. Kreacher had refused to let Harry throw out one of the only relics of his ex-mistress, so Harry had placed it, and many of the other priceless Black heirlooms that were no longer needed, in an unused back room. Kreacher moved from his old bedroom into this larger room so that he could be surrounded by Black memorabilia.
Just like him, Ron had little to do. He was also going to Auror school, and in the meantime, everyone was busy.
"What should we do today, Harry?" Ron asked from his position, sprawled over a couch.
"The same as yesterday?" suggested Harry, who was flipping through today's Daily Prophet.
"So, nothing", Ron concluded. "We need to find something to do!"
Harry sighed and turned the page. He skimmed it, and then, as he got to the bottom, he stopped.
"Come over here and look at this", he said to Ron. Ron got up, and walked over to Harry. Both of them stared down at the small advertisement.
"Are you bored?" Harry read aloud. "Do you want to something different? Then join the Wizarding Grand Tour, and see the world!"
"I dunno", Ron said slowly. "I never liked the idea of tours. It restricts you from doing what you want to do."
"So lets make our own Grand Tour", Harry countered. "We can go where we want, when we want. We can leave if we're bored or stay a a place longer if we want." Ron still looked unsure.
"Come on!" Harry continued. "It'll be fun!"
By the end of the next week, Harry had convinced Ron, and they were off to travel the world.