A Twist In Time

THE BEES OF SMALL HEATH

There were times when I looked at Thomas-J and wondered how this boy was to become Lord Voldemort.

The sweet little cherub was cuddling up to me, his eyes on his baby sister as she lay on my chest having her feed before we went to see Tommy.

He had nothing but love and adoration in his eyes for Ophelia and I had to ponder whether he would have always been like this in the original timeline with a younger sibling or whether this was because he was raised with a family that loved him.

"Mumma," he mumbled, his cheek pressed into my neck.

"Yes, my darling," I replied, shifting slightly to lean down and press a kiss to his forehead.

"I try?" he asked, his eyes intently watching Ophelia's little mouth as she suckled away on her milk. His question surprised me, but it shouldn't have as he was an inquisitive little boy, and I knew he'd be curious about seeing things in the world around him.

"Mumma's milk isn't for you TJ, but for Phia, unfortunately you can't have any, my darling," I said softly, brushing my hand over his hair, loving the way it was curling at the ends, something his father's was doing as it was growing out. Thomas-J always copied Tommy on his appearance.

"Does Papa try?"

I almost snorted at the question.

How was I meant to tell our almost three-year-old that his father had indeed suckled from my breast the same as his newborn daughter?

"No, my darling, your father doesn't try it either," I muttered, feeling it safe to lie to him in this case.

TJ huffed as if sensing I hadn't told him the truth, those penetrating blue eyes he shared with his father looking at me intently. There was a prickling against my mind, the feeling familiar to me.

"Thomas-J, you do not try to pry into people's thoughts. How do you even know how to do that?" I grumbled, shifting on the sofa, so I moved from our embrace, hand securely keeping Ophelia against my chest.

"Phinny mentioned it," he muttered, and I squinted my eyes at him as he shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. What I wanted to know was why Phineas was even mentioning Legilimency around TJ or how the boy knew how to try and do it.

Perhaps it was a natural talent of his - I seem to remember my grandparents mentioning how talented Tom Riddle was as a young student. Maybe this was another talent of his. If he also shared my blood now and had access to some of my abilities - which I knew he did - then perhaps the abilities to easily penetrate one's mind came naturally to him too.

I'd have to share my theories with Newt.

"I'll be having a word with your uncle, but sweetheart, you shouldn't ever try to penetrate a mind. Not until you're correctly trained." I wasn't going to stop him from being able to learn the skill, but I wanted to ensure he had the correct training to prevent any possible damage in the future. "I'll teach you when I believe you'll understand it."

"Okay," he mumbled, giving me what I knew to be a look of 'pure innocence', a look that he knew worked on anyone he dared to try it on.

I don't know where he learnt it, probably from his father. If there was a man I knew that could have people bending to his will by a look alone, it was Tommy Shelby. That man was sex on legs, and with smouldering eyes, he could have the whole world wrapped around his little finger.

I knew I'd probably do anything if he gave me a certain look.

"Sweetheart, go get your shoes on. Your father is expecting us," I said, ruffling his hair as he clambered off the sofa, sighing deeply as if it was the hardest thing he'd have to do in this nearly three years of life.