Written for a challenge on livejournal featuring Rome.

Most thirteen year old boys would be frustrated and furious about having to attend school and study during their summer holidays.

Tom Riddle was no exception, but for different reasons.

The muggles that engulfed the orphanage he was forced to reside in always insisted he work during his time away from Hogwarts. His intelligence had been one of the few things those who ran the orphanage praised him for. Most did not know what school he actually attended, but it did not matter for all pounded him with work when he returned.

Muggle work.

He hated to admit that some studies were relevant: Mathematics, English Reading and Writing and even some History were useful, particularly when he could pick where it intercepted with Wizarding History. However, it was still rare that he ever allowed himself to be engulfed by a topic.

He had today.

From the moment a book detailing the life of Julius Caesar had been placed before him, he had slid easily into the text.

He could believe it was 44BC.

He was standing before the Roman Senate. A toga was draped around his slim frame as he stood taller than he ever had before. It was not just because of the raised podium he stood on, but his age.

He had grown. He was no longer a thirteen year old boy, but a man in the prime of his life. His hair was longer than the matrons had ever allowed it to be hanging just a little above his shoulders. His dark eyes shone bright and powerful as all cowered before his mere presence

Tom smirked to himself and strode forward. All bowed before him as he savoured the respect he deserved. It was how things should be. He swept back and forward speaking and declaring his views as they all responded to his orders without hesitation.

Then, disaster.

One man stepped forward. He demanded his exiled brother be returned. Tom refused to be beaten and snarled his refusal.

Then another stepped forward.

And another.

Soon he was engulfed by attackers all of whom carried daggers.

He could fall. He could concede to the inevitable.

Or not.

Within half a second the familiar yew wand was in his hand. Curse after curse escaped the tip. It struck the attackers one by one until he was surrounded by corpses.

Triumphant filled his handsome features as he returned to the dais.

No one could ever harm him.

Returning to the present, the teenager Tom Riddle smirked to himself as he continued his reading and visions.

Soon he would have more power than Caesar ever was.

Unlike him, he would never allow himself to trust or to succumb to death like a mere mortal.