Disclaimer: I do not not own Harry Potter.

Power

Power was a word that surrounded my entire life. It gave me purpose.

Many years ago a man had come to the orphanage and told me I was a wizard. It had made sense, you see, because I was able to do things unlike the other children. I could cause them pain. I could take things from them. It was all too easy. I could talk to snakes too. When I told the children they told me I was insane. But I knew better. Sometimes, I feel good when I do these things. They make me feel powerful. Other times, I feel nothing at all.

I spent a lot of time in library during my time at Hogwarts. Sometimes, I could even get into the restricted section (if I played my cards right). I would sit there and read about all types of magic. Good and bad. There were things that even made me cringe. Mostly, I would read about great, powerful rulers and ancient emperors. I would read about the pharaohs, who were thought of as a living god. They had complete control and no one would dare go against them. I had learned about Gellert Grindewald who was so powerful and defeated by our own headmaster. My favorite, though, was Alexander the Great. In such a short time he had almost the whole world. His empire was huge and his rule was legendary.

All of those rulers had so much greatness and power (even if some were dirty Muggles). Many were even loved and respected by their people. But I never wanted love. Respect, yes, but love? It seemed so trivial and unnecessary. Why be loved when you can be feared?

I could picture myself in control. There would be people erecting statues in my honor. People cowering in fear of the sound of my name. These pictures in my head, they wreaked of power. But who would fear a named like 'Tom Riddle'? It was that of a worthless, pathetic Muggle. A Muggle was nothing to be feared in comparison to my abilities. They were the dirt beneath me.

It was these thoughts that made me close the spells book before me and take out my quill and parchment. On the top of the parchment I wrote my name and started to go to work. Soon I had what I needed. It was a simple, four words at the end of a long, crossed out and scribbled list of names.

I am Lord Voldemort.

It was perfect. A Lord was someone people could worship and give only the highest praise and respect. And deep, deep down...people feared their Lords. They had power. Insane, unknown powers that terrified others. Now 'Voldemort'. In Latin 'mort' meant death. Nothing in the world had more power than death. It made people terrified. They would do anything to avoid it.

I wanted to be feared. I wanted to have all the power in the world. I would and will do anything to get it.

A/N: My first fanfiction. I really hope you like it. Please leave a review. I'm sorry if I missed any grammar or spelling mistakes. Review! :D