Harry was easily distracted by John and Arthur's stories of Birmingham, and the people that lived there. They went on about how they were going to teach him how to be a Shelby, how they were going to show him the various horses they owned, and so on.
Despite all the chatter, Harry could not help but look towards number four Privet Drive. Tommy was taking an awfully long time talking to the Dursleys. For a moment, Harry feared that he was going to be sent back to his awful relatives. There was no doubt Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia was telling Tommy lies, and perhaps the man ended up believing them.
When Thomas Shelby came out of the house, only did Harry sag in relief. He was vaguely aware of John telling him about someone named Polly, but the chatter stopped when Tommy got into the driver's seat. The man took out a cigarette but put it away when his eyes saw Harry's on the rear view mirror.
"Well, Harry, I can't say it was nice to meet your relatives, nor my cousin Petunia." The corner of Tommy's eyes crinkled, and Harry could just imagine the smile he was given earlier. "But that doesn't matter anymore, since as of today, you're part of the Shelby family."
"A-are you sure?" Harry could not help but voice out his worries.
No adult had ever believed him, and school was no better. The principal played poker or drank every weekend with Uncle Vernon, and so the teachers at his primary school were warned of his apparent trouble-making tendencies.
"I don't want to be a bother. The Dursleys... I can do chores and stuff—" Harry thought of other things he could do, like weeding and cooking, but Tommy cut him off before he could say anything else.
"You'll never be a bother, Harry. You're part Shelby, and as I said, we protect our own."
That statement left Harry in awe. John and Arthur, as rowdy as ever, echoed each other's yells of agreement. Tommy said no more as they drove away from Privet Drive.
Tommy eyed the scrawny boy through the rear mirror. He could not help but observe Lily's boy, having seen so much of the boy's mother in him. Arthur and John kept him sequestered between them and regaled him of tales, albeit censored, of their escapades in France.
Harry did not talk too much, more content with listening to Arthur and John's ramblings. He did not think the stories were really appropriate for Harry to hear, especially when John went into detail of how they would have to stay in the trenches for a long time, and how some people's feet rotted. Finn would have said 'cool!' at any gory parts, but Harry looked like he sympathized with what they went through instead.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Tommy damned the Dursleys to hell in his mind.
Halfway through the trip, Harry fell asleep, and they did not bother waking him up when they finally arrived in Birmingham. Polly greeted them and fussed over the sleeping boy, before she let John carry Harry upstairs to Tommy's room. Arthur bid them all good night before turning in for the day. Ada was nowhere to be seen. No matter, Tommy was sure she would have time to see Harry tomorrow.
Tommy stood by his doorway and watched Harry sleep. It did not look like a peaceful one, and he struggled to not wake up his nephew. He had only ever observed this behaviour in Arthur, just as they got back from France. John, not so much, but the walls between their rooms were thin, and Tommy had heard enough to know his younger brother also suffered in his dreams each night.
A hand touched his shoulder and he looked to see Aunt Polly beside him. In the dim light, Polly's face seemed to have aged in just a few hours. She tried earlier to not show as much emotion, but seeing Harry must have hit something close to home.
"Petunia grew up into a spiteful, jealous woman. I don't understand how she could treat Lily's child like this." She was disgusted, and so was Tommy. "I had... I had wished nothing untoward happened to Michael and Anna. I can only hope they haven't befallen to the same fate as Harry."
Kin was precious to them, and the conditions in which Harry was subjected to was unfathomable to Tommy. Family was the most important thing in the world, and he had resorted to all kinds of illegal activity just to keep his own family safe. He thought briefly about Ada and Freddie Thorne, but shook himself out of that rabbit hole. There were some plans already brewing for his sister and his old friend.
"I reckon he won't be used to how we do things. We'll take it slow with him." Tommy said, contemplating on what to do for Harry. "He'll have to go to school. I can just tell he's as bright as Lily, probably even more so. It's about time Finn goes back as well. We've neglected his schooling for a while now."
Polly gave him a nod, a grimace on her face. "That we will do. We'll set an example for Lily's boy before he goes to that school."
That gave Tommy pause. "We'll think about that next time. I'm not sure I want to send Harry there." He remembered the wizard that ran the school, who visited Lily and James often at their home in Godric's Hollow. Tommy had been sure at the time that the grandfatherly persona was a facade. Even if it was untrue, he will be sure to thread lightly around the man. Before, he always made sure to excuse himself to smoke whenever the man visited.
Polly then left and Tommy climbed into his own bed. Harry's nightmares seemed to have passed. Tommy watched his nephew until the steady rise and fall of Harry's chest lulled him to sleep, for once forgoing the hidden opium in his drawer.
Harry awoke with a start and he huddled towards the corner of the room, his blankets almost burying him. He was in an unfamiliar room with dark brown wallpapers, and he was not the only person in the room. Harry half expected Uncle Vernon to come yelling into the room, but all he heard were the light snores of the person on the other bed.
Closing his eyes quickly, Harry opened them again and was disappointed to find that the scene did not change. He eyed the window above him. Perhaps he could look outside and figure out from there where he was. His eyes darted towards the sleeping person then quickly peered out the window.
Harry did not recognize the street, nor the houses. It was definitely no Privet Drive, and there were no lawns, just gravel-filled street and a very wide building that looked to be as long as two blocks with multiple doors on it. There were children playing outside as well, and men carrying barrows filled with sacks and dark things. In the distance, he could see smoke coming out of a factory, a crane, and unfinished iron buildings.
"Awake are we?"
Harry's heart must have jumped a mile away when he heard the voice. He spun around quickly to see his Uncle Tommy sitting up on the bed. Harry immediately felt silly at forgetting where he was.
"Uncle.. Tommy?" Inside, Harry was ecstatic to see the person he considers to be his rescuer. It meant that his life at Privet Drive was officially over.
The man smiled. "That's right. You had an alright sleep? I think you might have had nightmares last night."
Harry duck his head, unwilling to admit his troubles but the man was not Vernon. He had to remind himself that now, if he really wanted to get away from the Dursleys' shadow. Still looking at his lap, he nodded. He heard the rustling of sheets and then felt a new weight on his bed. Uncle Tommy laid a hand on his shoulder.
"You see, I have them too." Harry's eyes widened at that, and he looked up at the man but Tommy was staring past Harry's head. "Arthur and John too. You won't remember since you were just a babe, but there was a war. People fought each other and I was sent away, to France, along with my brothers. It was to fight for our country, but we had no choice in the matter and that's why I have nightmares."
Harry could not fathom fighting with anyone, not after having been Dudley's target for years. His uncle's eyes turned towards him, and he was met with a bright smile.
"So if you ever wake up in the middle of the night, you can come bother me and I'll listen to anything you want to tell me, alright?"
Confiding his fears and secrets to anyone was a novel idea, so Harry nodded happily at that. Tommy beckoned him to wash up and get dressed for breakfast. Harry shook his head at the suggestion of the man helping him bathe, and took his new clothes with him to the bathroom. It did not take him long before he was dressed up in an olive green pine shirt, shorts, long dark grey socks, and a pair of dark brown leather lace-up shoes. He sighed at the sight of his hair.
When he came out to meet his uncle, Tommy was already dressed impeccably in a similar suit to yesterday's.
"Come on, lad. We'll have breakfast and then I'll show you Birmingham."
Harry tottered after Tommy, straining his ears for any noises as they descended the stairs. He could hear the distinct sounds of metal clinking against ceramic, and once he reached the ground floor, Harry was met with the sight of several people on the dining table.
A stern looking woman, Polly if his memory was right, was serving everyone breakfast, her kohl eyes darting upwards to look at him. Harry was relieved when a smile appeared on the woman's face and she inclined her head towards a chair.
Arthur sat in one, his back towards Harry. There was also a younger woman, whose heart-shaped face was obviously another Shelby. She did not look too happy at the sight of Tommy but she smiled at Harry nonetheless. John was nowhere to be found.
Harry sat beside Arthur, and Tommy sat on his other side.
"Everyone, this is Harry." Tommy said as he put food on Harry's plate. The boy flushed at the attention on him, but Arthur's smiling eyes made him feel more relaxed.
Harry greeted everyone, more confident than when he entered the room.
The young woman he thought was named Ada, reached her hand towards him, and Harry gaped at it before he shook it. "Hi Harry, I'm your Aunt Ada." Harry greeted her back and said nothing further since she looked preoccupied with something.
Arthur patted his back. "Right, Harry. Don't go making trouble around Ada! She's been a right snit at me since forever." Harry gave a tentative grin. It looked like that livened up Ada a bit as she yelled an indignant 'hey!' at Arthur. A giggle caught Harry's attention.
He looked to Tommy's left and there sat an older boy that looked more like John than anyone. Harry spied the cigarette holder peeking out of a pocket, which the boy pushed down quickly.
His toothy grin however made Harry less nervous. "Hiya, Harry! I'm Finn. Everyone says I'm your uncle, but that might be weird. Just call me Finn." Arthur's snort was ignored. The boy's hand was outstretched, and Harry got up to shake it behind Tommy's back. It would have been rude to shake hands in front of his Uncle when he was eating.
After the pleasantries, Harry sat down to eat the food Tommy put on his plate. He was grateful to see that it was not any of the fatty bacon or sausages. Harry was able to stomach the porridge and buns better. He did force down the glass of milk offered by Aunt Polly.
Once he was done, Tommy turned to him, cigarette stuck between his teeth. "Now, Harry, I have some business to attend to. But I promise right after to take you to see the town, alright?" Harry nodded at his uncle, pleased at the hand that ruffled his hair.
Once Ada went upstairs and both Arthur and Tommy had gone out, Aunt Polly shoo'd both Finn and Harry out of the kitchen.
"But I- I can help clean up, if you'd like Aunt Polly." Harry piped up before flushing. When he looked up, Aunt Polly was smiling widely. Harry was curious about her sudden watery eyes.
"Oh you sweet boy. The kitchen is no place for children. Go on and play with Finn. I'll take care of everything."
Harry was disappointed but let Finn drag him out the door and onto the streets.
"Why'd you offer to help clean up? You're too tiny to help in the kitchen." Finn said, taking out a cigarette to stick between his lips. Harry stared curiously at that. "Also I'm banned from the kitchen after I almost lobbed my head off. Don't ask by the way. Anyway, I can show you where the family business is."
Both boys winded through the streets, passing children, women, and soot covered men. These were people that the inhabitants of Privet Drive would have looked down their noses at. Harry did not understand the prejudice against them. They looked like very hardworking people, and he was always told by his previous relatives that if he worked hard, maybe he would not be a hooligan. For a time, Harry had believed that, but now he knew he was never going to be a hooligan, unless he wanted to be like Dudley, and he certainly did not want that.
They then stopped in front of a building with a lot of foot traffic. Once Finn pushed the doors to the building open, Harry stared in wonder at the busy men in suites and the piles of coins on multiple tables. Most of them seem to be focused on the man by the front of the room. Harry's eyes lit up when he saw it was John, toothpick in his mouth and yelling names he had never heard of before.
"See this is where I usually hang if the betting shop's too too loud or boring, there's a room beyond those doors,—" Finn pointed to a set of double doors. "—which is where we Shelbys have family meetings. Come on."
There were plush furniture and a cozy fireplace to sit by. Finn sat by one of the chairs by the dining table, and he lit his cigarette by the fire burning brightly in the hearth.
"Why do you do that?" Harry finally asked.
Finn looked at him. "Do what?"
"Smoke. Isn't that bad?"
Finn shrugged. "I'll be eleven next week. Besides, it doesn't hurt Arthur, Tommy, or John. I figured it'll be fine."
Harry was skeptical at that but remained mum on the subject. He had hated it when Vernon smoked his tobacco in the house. It was one thing that Aunt Petunia did not like, and sometimes Vernon relented but otherwise would only do it when she was not in the house. Harry exhaled loudly, and looked around.
Tommy then showed up, and Finn put out his cigarette but missed the hearth.
Tommy looked at Harry, then bent down to pick up the cigarette then threw it into the fireplace. "You haven't been corrupting your nephew, are you Finn?"
"Harry's too good for this." Finn says, worried grin on his face. "Are you taking him around now?"
"Yes. Come on, Harry. There isn't a lot to show you but it helps to know where you are around the city." Tommy said, running a hand down Harry's head.
Harry nodded, waving goodbye to Finn.
"Aren't you mad Finn smokes?" Harry said as he followed his uncle back into the betting place. They were met by John, holding a big ledger to show Tommy.
"I wish he didn't do it, but Finn is a good kid." Tommy says as he checks off something in the ledger. John gives the small boy a wink before he goes back to the board with the waiting men.
"Now," Tommy crouched down to Harry's level. "This is our betting shop. We collect bets for horse racing. We've got a few of our own race horses down by the dock, cared for by Charlie and Curly."
After, Tommy showed Harry the docks, and the boy met Charlie and Curly. They had taken a liking to him immediately, as his quiet nature reminded them of Tommy. Harry beamed at the comparison, and that's when Charlie laughed and said, "At least this one's still got his cheerfulness, eh Tommy."
Harry got to see a white horse, with red dusting on its nose. It was not as great as he thought it would be, but Tommy showed him a bit of how to ride a horse. He grumbled lightly about his sore bum as Tommy helped him off the horse, and this got a chuckle out of his usually serious uncle.
Charlie had asked them to come back sometime, and Harry promised to. They crossed the bridge towards an small Italian bakery, and Tommy let him pick a snack to eat as they toured the city. A portly man with thinning hair smiled at Harry, but the man's demeanor changed as soon as he saw who was with the boy.
"Mr. Shelby." The man gave him a small nod. "Who is this child if I might ask?"
Harry watched curiously at the interaction. "This is my nephew. Harry, this is Mr. Sangre. He is a good friend, understand?"
Not knowing the meaning of the emphasis on 'good friend', Harry nodded and thanked the man for the pastry. As they left, Harry looked back at Mr. Sangre standing by his shop door. He was no longer smiling, but had a suspicious look on his face as he stared at Harry's retreating form.
"Now, I don't want you to feel bored around here but you cannot go out by yourself. At the very least do not go to the docks alone. It's dangerous there, as some other parts in this city are, but I'd rather not hear about you drowning." Tommy said as they approached a pub, The Garrison displayed above its door. "Unfortunately, our business attracts. . . admirers and enemies alike. "You might be too young for this, but it doesn't hurt to know."
They entered the pub and many of the pub's patrons greeted Tommy. Harry followed his uncle closely to the bar, and the man offered Tommy a glass of whiskey before noticing Harry.
"And who might this be, Mr. Shelby? Your son, sir?" Harry flushed at the assumption. He badly wanted to say, 'Yes!', but knew it was a lie.
"This is Harry, my nephew. Only arrived last night." Tommy said as he helped Harry up on a stool. "Another Shelby you'll be seeing around here. Hopefully he doesn't frequent this pub until he's of age."
Harry shook his head. "No thank you. Uncle Vernon drank, and he was meaner when he did." He said, looking at his hands. Silence fell between the two men.
"Not to worry, Harry. You'll never become like that man, you hear me?" Tommy assured the boy.
"Over my dead body."
Harry felt a chill pass him as he heard the conviction, and found that his uncle's clear blue eyes had the intensity that made the statement truer than anything he had ever known.
It took a while before Aunt Polly was able to arrange schooling for Harry and Finn. Even John was hounded by Aunt Polly to take his children to school, which he eventually relented to.
Tommy Shelby had not set foot in any academic establishment not since before the war. He had attempted to abandon the Shelby way of life, and attend a university in London. All his efforts were thwarted as war loomed over England. Once he arrived back from France, he was a changed man, and schooling had become a privilege he did not feel was worth pursuing anymore. For Harry, it was a different story. So Tommy diligently drove his nephew to and from school and encouraged the boy to do his best in everything he did.
In the span of a few weeks, Harry had adjusted well to living with the Shelbys. He had taken a liking to the horses, and took riding lessons from Charlie every weekend. The boy had come out of his shell a bit. Although he had his bouts of brooding, Tommy felt it was healthy for the boy to have time for himself. Aunt Polly protested against it, considering it an unhealthy behaviour, but Tommy would just remind her of his subsequent return from the war and any retort would die in her throat. Tommy felt it was cruel, but it was what it was.
"I fear the boy might become like you someday." She had said once, all pursed lips and hurt kohl eyes directed away from him. Tommy did not respond but felt an ache in his chest at the words.
The possibility of Harry becoming like Tommy was undeniable. While they were both prone to brooding, it was mostly Harry's idolatry of his uncle that assured the rest of the Shelbys why he would end up like Tommy Shelby. The boy was not used to having adults that cared for him, and so was still reluctant to ask for help. Harry had an incredibly bright mind not unlike Lily's, coupled with her stubbornness, that had Tommy feeling cold. He had seen the same intensity in the boy's eyes when he was committed to achieving something, and it reminded him of his time in the tunnels of France.
"There's something about the boy, Tommy." Charlie told him as they watched Curly entertain Harry by the grates of the dock. Tommy had his men install metal fences just before the canal to prevent any accidents that might befall Harry.
"There's this power about him." Tommy's eyes darted to the side, eyeing Charlie. He had not mentioned Harry's abilities to anyone but Arthur, John, Ada, Polly and Finn. John's children were simply too young to know, and Finn would never tell a family secret to outsiders.
"I've seen him get mad. I know, little Harry, mad? He was frustrated at a particular jump he couldn't make the horse go through. I told him it was all fine, that no one expected a five year old to achieve something so advanced. I didn't want him to exhaust himself and fall down, so I beckoned him to jump off." Charlie sucked in his breath between teeth. "The tenacity in the boy's eyes threw me off. The wind picked up and clouds swirled above us. It was such a nice day and it had turned sour in a second. It was as if the gods were with Harry, and were as frustrated as the boy." He shook his head. "Then he took off. I couldn't hold the reign quickly enough."
"Christ, Charlie. You have to take care of Harry better." Tommy said, his mind in turmoil. He forgot about how emotions were tied to magic. He had seen Lily grow flowers in her palm as a child, and throw a bully ten feet away without touching them. This was a bit of a problem.
"He was fine at the end." Charlie pointed to a rack behind them. "He got Monaghan to jump above that." Tommy's eyebrows raised. Damn.
Curly approached them with Harry in tow, and the boy held up slimy hands at Tommy. He eyed the small garter snake with slight unease.
"Look what I found, Uncle Tommy. It talks!" Harry beamed at him, seemingly proud of his discovery.
Tommy frowned, and lowered the boys hands. He crouched to Harry's level.
"Are you sure, Harry?" He asked, and the nod was all he needed. He was not going to question the boy's sanity. It was not in Harry's nature to lie, but Tommy was still unsure how his child rearing skills were faring, and perhaps the rebellion was only just starting. "I trust you're not lying. What did the snake say, lad?" He said gently to his nephew.
"It said that I'm a serpent speaker." Harry furrowed his brows. "What does serpent mean? It also wants a nice mouse for a snack, and min— minnows?"
Tommy exchanged looks with Charlie and Curly, the latter fidgeting with his hat. Charlie's eyes were telling him, 'I told you so'. Tommy could only sigh and smile at Harry.
"We'll do that, come on. It's going to be hard to find him any rodents when the sun sets."
As he left the docks with Harry, Tommy felt exhaustion come over him. He was wont to tell Harry to suppress any unusual abilities, but felt that might stifle his growth and confidence in his new guardians. His nephew was progressing well for someone who had come from an abusive and neglectful household. It was only a matter of time before that happy bubble bursts, and he was not going to see it harm his relationship with his nephew.
It was time to confer with the rest of the family at the meeting tonight.
After the children were tucked in, Tommy, Arthur, Polly, John, and Ada had gathered in the betting shop. His brothers and Polly seem concerned about something, and if he had to guess it was not about their rivals in the betting world.
Arthur spoke first. "Right, I've called this family meeting because I've got some important news. Last night, our men were in Belfast buying stallions to cover their mares. They were in a Shankhill road pub, and there was a copper handing out these."
Arthur passed on leafs of paper to everyone. Tommy took in the words, ''If you're over five feet tall and can fight, come to Birmingham."
"They're recruiting Protestant Irishmen to come over here as Specials." Arthur said, taking his time to take a swig out of a whiskey bottle.
Ada frowned. "To do what exactly?"
"To clean up the city, Ada." Tommy piped up. Arthur eyes widen, clearly surprised at Tommy knowing what was going on. Polly had an unconcerned facade but her eyes had met Tommy's briefly. It promised, 'We have to talk later.'
"He's a Chief Inspector. Over the last four years, he's been cleaning out the IRA out of Belfast."
Arthur bristled. "How do you know so much?"
Tommy shrugged. "I asked the cops on our payroll." That seemed to anger Arthur even more, and he had slammed the bottle on the table.
"Why didn't you tell me?" His brother gritted.
Tommy stared at him. "I'm telling you now."
John then spoke up, in an attempt to lighten the tension between his brothers. "So why has he been sent to Birmingham?"
Tommy continued staring at Arthur until his older brother looked away. He was bitter, Tommy knew. He had been planning and keeping secrets, and knew Arthur felt out of the loop in their family business. As far as Tommy was concerned, he would rather keep things to himself rather than blurt it out and it all goes to shit. It was better to see his plans come to fruition before announcing it to the world. If he needed his family's help, he would come to them. In time.
"There have been a lot of strikes in the Austen works and BSA factory lately. The papers are spouting it's sedition. Revolution. I reckon it's the Communists he's after."
There was a look of understanding that passed through his family's faces. Ada was particularly fidgety. Tommy would bet it was because Freddie Thorne, his comrade and former friend, was one of the instigators of the rebellions. It was dangerous waters Ada was wading in being associated with a known communist. Tommy could only hope threats and a bit of bribery would work to mitigate the growing situation, but it looks like he would have to resort to even more underhanded tricks. This was definitely not a good time to be raising a child in.
"So the copper will leave us alone?" Polly asked, a prim eyebrow rose. She stared hard at Tommy. His aunt was now incredibly suspicious of him, it was unavoidable with him displaying his knowledge of the situation. Unbeknownst to Tommy and Polly, everyone was watching them. A confrontation seemed inevitable between the two powerhouses of the family.
Tommy matched Polly's stare. "There are Irishmen who left Belfast, apparently to get away from him. They say Catholic men that crossed him used to disappear in the night."
John looked around and got to his feet. "Well we're not the IRA. We bloody fought for the king!" He scoffed. "Anyway, we're the Peaky Blinders. The coppers can't touch us. But if they come for us, we'll cut them a smile each." And with that, John grabbed his peaked flat cap, the glint of a blade visible in the rim of his hat.
Tommy stepped to the burning fireplace next to Aunt Polly and chucked in the flyer. He then looked back at Arthur, gesturing a hand towards his brother. "Is that all Arthur?"
Polly got to her feet. "This family does everything open. You have nothing more to say, Tommy?"
Ah. Tommy's piercing blue eyes swept the room before landing on Polly's. "Nothing that's women's business." Silence befell the room.
"When you boys were away at war, this whole enterprise was 'women's business'. What's changed?" Polly gritted out.
Tommy sighed in his mind. "We came back."
Finally, Tommy gestured for Arthur and John, and they left the shop. He could just hear the beginnings of a growl from Polly's lips as they left.
Later that night, Tommy strode towards the church alone. The dark hall and piercing eyes of the carved angels did not deter him from approaching a dark figure kneeling in one of the pews. Polly Grey held a rosary in her hands, black veil primly sat on her head. She did not move as Tommy slid into the seat behind her.
Tommy waited patiently as his aunt finished her prayers. She was evidently cross with him, and he contemplated lying to her. Not everything always had to be divulged, but this was Aunt Polly, and he understood that she was only concerned for the whole family. Besides, if there was anyone he would confide in, it was her. After a while, she finally signed the cross and sat back in the seat.
"What do you want? I have ten minutes." Tommy said.
"An explanation."
"Of what?"
Polly scoffed. "Of what's so secret." She paused. "I've always been able to tell—"
"Tell what?"
"—when you're hiding something."
Tommy let out a weary breath. Fuck ten minutes.
"People around here talk. Some of them work at the BSA." Polly twists to look at Tommy behind her. "I have been talking to the wives in particular. Of the factory hands. There are detectives that have been asking questions in the proofing shops."
Tommy found his voice. "About what?"
Polly tittered. "Nothing happens in the factory without you knowing it. How about you tell me." She sighed. "Speak. God and Aunt Polly are listening."
Tommy braced himself for the inevitable. "It was supposed to be routine. I had a buyer in London who wanted motorcycles. So I asked my men to steal four petrol engine motorcycles. There's a still in the factory that makes gin. My boys must have gotten drunk and they grabbed the wrong fucking crate. . ."
"Well, what was in it?"
Tommy sighed. "They delivered it to Charlie's yard. In it were twenty Lewis machine guns with ten thousand rounds of ammunition. Fifty semi-automatic rifles, two hundred pistols with shells—"
Polly's eyes had widened in shock and interrupts. "Tell me you threw it in the cut!"
"— all bound for Libya. It's still there, sitting in Charlie Strong's yard. We... put them in the stables, out of the rain. None of them have been greased yet."
He did not expect the assault but took it anyway. Polly punched and hammered on his arms, and Tommy, feeling like he deserved it, let her blow her steam out before grabbing her hands. Tommy put on an apologetic expression before wiping his face of it.
"You are not doing this. Not when you've got Harry to take care of!" Polly shouts, frustration unfastening the veil on her head. She looks visibly shaken and angry, disappointment trickling into her features. "You will tell Charlie to dump them tonight. If you sell this to anyone who has use for it, you will hang. It's no wonder they sent that copper from Belfast."
Tommy sighed. "Maybe, maybe not..."
Polly pursed her lips. "Your mother's common sense and your father's devilry are clashing. I suggest you let your mother's common sense win."
Tommy stood up, intending to end the confrontation. "He won't move contraband under a full moon. Let it wane. Three days and then we will get rid of it."
"I hope so, Tommy. For this family's sake, enough is enough."
Tommy did not bother to answer, and he turned on his heels to leave.
Harry awoke with a weight on his chest. As he opened his eyes, he saw the garter snake he had found the day before, it's tongue slipping out to taste the air. He smiled. He had named the reptile, Odeus. His Uncle Tommy had certainly approved of such a fine name, and even helped him get food for his new companion.
Are you done resting, speaker? You humans hibernate for too long. Why, I had already eaten five mice today! Laziness is unbecoming, young speaker.
Harry grinned. He placed the snake on his bed before going over to his wardrobe. "Yes, I am done. Have you seen my guardian?" He picked out some clothes before going to the adjacent bathroom. In it, he could barely hear Odeus.
He left just before dawn. He seemed like he was being chased by an owl.
Harry came out of the bathroom, eyeing Odeus. "You mean he was in a hurry? I haven't seen him since last night." Harry sighed. "I was hoping to show him something."
The dour man always comes back. What will you show him today?
"I was hoping to show him my magic."
In the past few weeks, he had become accustomed to the Shelby life. He went to school and did not get bullied for being the freak. Despite that, he was still avoided by the children, preferring to play among themselves. There were instances where the children would seem to be forced to play with him, and while that was fine, Harry was still baffled by their treatment of him. He was confused because there had not been any accidents with his magic, and he has been the perfect student and child.
Finn had the knowing look and merely clapped him on the back, congratulating him for being a proper Shelby.
"Don't worry about it." Finn had assured him. "Their parents probably warned them against offending you in any way. We Shelbys take care of our own, and they're afraid Tommy might get mad at them if you got upset."
It was an unsettling answer that Harry did not expect. Was his uncle a bad man? From his experience, it seemed that the people of Birmingham respected Tommy Shelby. They greeted him, and his uncle greeted them back, like a polite person should.
"But Uncle Tommy wouldn't do that." He argued, and all he received from his young uncle was a shrug.
From then on, Harry observed even harder whenever he was with his uncle. He had witnessed, behind the somewhat awed faces, there lied a hint of fear in their eyes when they interacted with Tommy Shelby. Arthur didn't incite the same reaction, and neither did John. There was a bit of fear, but it was unlike their reception of Tommy.
Harry had yet to figure out why there was such a huge discrepancy in their treatment of the Shelbys, but shook the thought out of his head. His poised uncle was a good man for getting him out of the Dursleys. He had three meals a day and more, a bed, and family that cared for him. He had not been punished, but as he had seen from Finn's punishments, it did not involve the withholding of food. The only thing he had to dread was a reprimand and a long lecture from any of the older Shelbys.
And you think that is a good idea? Remember the walrus you call an uncle from your previous habitat?
Harry shook his head no. "He's not like that. If Uncle Vernon had seen me with you, I probably would have been beaten up by Dudley and chucked to the shed. No, Uncle Tommy's good. He let me keep you after all." Harry shrugged. "I don't feel worried. If anything he might have known about how my parents were wizards."
Harry had taken a long time before he came to the decision to reveal his magic to his new family. He only hoped their view of him would not change. Thus, he had been practicing tricks, ones he had seen on the telly sometimes, and some that he copied from a circus act his uncle had taken him to see once. Harry was careful to not practice anywhere where anyone could see him. Curly had been gracious enough to keep his secret and let him practice his magic in an unused brick stable in Charlie's yard. The latter had given him knowing looks, and not even a hint of surprise when Harry had accidentally fallen off a horse and floated to the ground. Neither had spoken about it, and Charlie gestured to zip his lips when Harry opened his mouth to say something. With his secret safe, and relieved to have found trustworthy allies in Birmingham, Harry decided it was time to trust his family.
Washed and dressed, he set out to find his uncle. He saw Aunt Polly downstairs and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Aunt Polly tapped his bum and told him to take a seat, as breakfast was going to be ready in a bit.
"Had a good sleep, Harry?"
"Yes. I was wondering where Uncle Tommy was." Harry asked, thanking his aunt for the food laden plate he had been given. He did not miss the pinched expression on her face at the mention of his uncle. "I was hoping to show him something?"
"I'm afraid Tommy is a bit occupied today. If I ever see your other uncles, I'll let them know you're looking for him." Harry hung his head as he spooned some scrambled eggs in his mouth. Then he perked up, looked around, before swallowing his food.
"Aunt Polly?"
She hummed. "Would— would you like to see something that I can do? It's something that Aunt Petunia hated, and so did the rest of her family." Harry bit his lips, refusing to look at his aunt. "I was hoping to show Uncle Tommy. But since you're here, I— I'd like for you to see it."
Aunt Polly was intrigued and so gestured for him to continue. "I've been practicing with Curly and Charlie, on my riding lessons."
Harry braced himself, giving Polly a tentative smile, then he opened his palms. Light emitted from his palm, and the twisting multi-colored beams twisted around each other. For a second, the beams pulsed and then it exploded into butterflies of different sizes. A particular cerulean butterfly landed on Polly's hand.
After years of mistreatment, Harry could not avoid but feel fear at the repercussions of his actions. When he looked at Aunt Polly, instead of anger, her face was filled with awe and her eyes watery.
"Aunt Polly?" Harry tentatively looked at her. "Do you think I'm a freak?"
The awe disappeared and in its place was shock and a fierceness Harry could not pinpoint. Aunt Polly swept him into her arms and hugged him tightly.
"Of course not, Harry! Why would you think that?" She pulled away to cup his face. "You're a very special boy. I think it was brilliant what you did. I knew your mother grew flowers, with just her magic as well, when she was just a child."
Harry gaped, elated at the bit he had been told about his mother. "Really?"
"Of course, dear. We were not sure if you had her abilities, so we didn't press on it but we had our suspicions. It was entirely up to you to reveal them to us." Aunt Polly smiled. "In this family, you have a choice. Only keep in mind that choices must be thoroughly thought through, and no harm should ever come to any Shelbys. Understood?"
Harry nodded, happy that someone from his family had accepted him.
"I can do other things, but Charlie told me to not do it in the house." Harry said sheepishly. Aunt Polly raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Well, if Charlie has told you against it, then we should keep that promise then, eh?" Polly smiled when Harry nodded. "Now go ahead and finish your food. I'll have someone fetch you from here, perhaps Finn, and you can go gallivanting outside. It's only right for you to enjoy this nice day."
Harry happily tuck into his food. Once he was done, he gave Aunt Polly a hug and a promise of more amazing tricks to show her. Finn met him just outside the door, and the two set off in the direction of the betting shops.
"I showed Aunt Polly my magic." Harry finally confessed. "I— I could show you some things I can do too."
Finn grinned, a knowing grin on his face. "I was waiting for this day, you know. You can show me later, though. Tommy's in the betting shop and I know you've probably been looking for him since you woke up."
Harry gave him a sheepish grin. They pushed past the doors of the betting shop, and once again, it was full of noise and piles of coins filled each table. He immediately spotted the man he was looking for and headed straight to him.
Tommy Shelby's leg was tackled by a small figure, and he smiled warmly at Harry.
"Harry," Tommy greeted. The child looked happy, and even the light in the boy's eyes was brighter somehow. "I just received word from Mrs. Changretta that you've been doing very well at school. Well enough to move you up, if you'd like to that is."
Harry nodded. "I wouldn't mind. I've already learned what we were learning from Dudley's books. Aunt Petunia bought them for him, but my cousin only ever wanted to stomp on them or hit me with them."
Tommy's eyebrows raised. Harry merely shrugged. "I'm not even sure if he could read them."
Tommy chuckled, amused at the nonchalance his nephew was displaying. The boy had really come a long way from being the meek little boy that he was.
"I'll be sure to pass along your agreement then." He said, then strained his ears as John whispered to him.
"The copper arrived last night. Johnny Dogs almost went and joined the recruits, but he's seen the men Campbell's employing earlier today. Bunch of BSA hands and—", John gave him a wink. "—a handful of our men. Just in case."
Tommy nodded, reluctant to discuss that particular line of work within Harry's hearing. It was a good thing the boy was occupied by an animated Finn. He sighed. His youngest brother was certainly developing a nasty habit of smoking. Tommy ought to snatch the carton of smokes hidden in Finn's breast pocket.
"Right, thank you, John."
He turned to Harry and Finn. "What would you say if we went for a bit of horse riding and visiting friends, hm? There's no guarantee there will be ice cream after."
After some wriggling that could have been a dance and shouts of elation, Tommy led his nephew and brother out of the betting shop. Outside, Jeremiah had absconded him to slip a crumpled piece of paper in his hand. Tommy feighned a greeting, before the man left him and comtinued preaching the word of God to the public again.
"What a loud man." Harry commented, looking back curiously at Jeremiah. "Why does he shout stuff from the bible?"
"He's a preacher, Harry." Tommy said. "And a good friend."
Tommy didn't read the paper until Charlie and Curly had taken his nephew and brother's attention away. He watched the boys and their galloping horses before he looked in his hands. Rage filled him immediately and he crushed the paper under his boot.
Son of a bitch.
Tommy pretended to be chipper and joined Harry with his own horse. The black stallion he was riding easily kept up with Harry's own. After the ride, Tommy brought them to the Italian district, where the promised ice cream was. In continuing his unfazed facade, he indulged in a scoop of ice cream as well, which surprised Finn greatly that his brother tumbled down the bench and ended up with ice cream down his shirt.
As promised, he visited the Changrettas home. Friend was not really the word he would use for them, but for Harry's sake, they were for now. Mrs. Changretta greeted them at the door, and Tommy conveyed that he would like Harry moved up with peers of the same intellect.
"That's wonderful, dear." Mrs. Changretta crooned. "Won't you come in and have some tea? This calls for a bit of a celebration."
Tommy looked towards Finn and Harry and saw their lack of enthusiasm. "I think another day, Mrs. Changretta. I believe both boys have had enough of an adventure today."
"Of course. Do come next time, then." She smiled down at Harry. "I'll see you in school on Monday, young man."
Harry and Finn bid Mrs. Changretta goodbye. Tommy guided the boys out of the Changretta's courtyard, but kept his senses alert. Mrs. Changretta might be the nicest family member, but her husband and children were certainly not. It was easy to offend anyone, not that Tommy would make that mistake, but he wanted no trouble today.
Not when he's already got one waiting at home.
As they entered their home, Harry turned to Tommy.
"Uncle Tommy," He said. "I've actually been waiting all day to show you something. I almost forgot, with all the fun I had today."
His affection for his nephew grew. Harry was such a polite boy, and his conviction and curious spirit was so much like Lily's. He was getting more blunt each day as well, and some things his nephew said. Well. Tommy would certainly have to hone the obvious skill.
"How about we go wash up before showing me anything, alright?"
Harry did not protest when Tommy lifted him up and carried him upstairs. He waited patiently, pretending to converse with Odeus as Harry washed up and dressed in his sleep clothes. The wet, unruly hair was inevitable, but Tommy took care in drying the boy's hair. Odeus slithered towards Harry's arm, it's hissing sounding like bliss.
"Now, what was it that you wanted to show me?"
Harry grinned. "I showed Aunt Polly today. I've been practicing for a while now, but I actually didn't think it would work. She thought I was brilliant." Harry's voice had turned to whisper, and concern filled him as his nephew's green eyes were filled with unbidden tears.
"For the longest time, I thought showing off my skills would make Aunt Petunia like me."
Tommy held the boy against his chest. His nephew's sniffles had become louder. "Oh Harry."
"I was so happy today because Aunt Polly wasn't cross at all." Harry took a shuddering breath. "I can do magic, Uncle Tommy."
"As Lily did, and your father."
His nephew nodded against his chest. "I found out that I wasn't a freak after all. It was all in the letter mum and dad left in the chest that I took with me."
Tommy nodded. He remembered the ornate chest his nephew had clutched with his life when they got him from Privet Drive. At first, he would find his nephew looking through the chest's contents in the middle of the night, the only source of light from the moon's beam, piercing through their window. In those times, Tommy did not dare disturb his nephew trying to reconnect with his dead parents through baubles and trinkets. He would merely watch the boy go through them, piece by piece, until Harry would fall asleep in exhaustion. He was reminded of a time when his mother had just passed away, and he was still a naive boy that longed for both his parents.
"I found a letter where they said they were witches and there was a charm that they used to protect ourselves. A man was supposed to hold the secret and not give away our location." Harry sniffled, and he swiped the back of his hands across his eyes. "That's where I found you and Sirius were supposed to be taking care of me. Then there were moving pictures, of mum, dad and I when I was a baby. I wasn't abandoned at all."
Tommy waited.
Harry wiped at his eyes furiously. "Anyway, I can do small things, like make light come out of my hands." Harry smiled. "I made Aunt Polly cry with a butterfly I made out of the light today."
Tommy chuckled. "Of course you did." He ruffled Harry's hair. "Anything you do can melt that woman's heart. Would you like to show me then?"
As lights danced and butterflies filled their room in Watery Lane, Tommy wondered why Harry could not have shown up on his life earlier, and wished life had gone differently for him. Harry's bright green eyes glowed in the apparent darkness, and found that perhaps the circumstances that led his nephew to him was unfortunate but preferable.
"I'm a trained nurse." Ada said, wringing a wet cloth over a basin.
"Don't make me laugh, bloody hell. My eye hurts!" Arthur crowed.
"I bloody am!"
John scoffed. "You had one first aid class in the church hall and got thrown out for giggling."
Arthur was visibly straining as Ada cleaned up a busted eye, his knuckles white over the arms of his chair. Tommy wanted to look to the heavens and beg for mercy.
"Not before I learned how to stop someone from choking."
"I'm not bloody choking, am I?"
"You will be when I wring your neck with this cloth."
John finally broke and his laugh filled the room. Even Tommy could not help but quirk a smile at the scene in front of him. Polly merely rolled her eyes, but Tommy could see amusement dancing in her kohl eyes.
"Enough. What did Campbell want with you?" With us?
"The bastard said Churchill sent him." Arthur spat out some blood. "Said there's been a robbery. What robbery?"
Tommy expected it. He knew how the Crown operated, but he had figured he had enough time to dispose of it, perhaps even sell it.
No one spoke. Arthur continued. "He said he wants us to help him."
John raised a brow. "We don't help coppers."
"That's what I told him."
"Then we're not helping." Tommy said.
Arthur eyed Tommy suspiciously. His eyes darted towards Polly before staring at Tommy again. "What's got your knickers in a twist?" Arthur turned to Polly. "What the fuck's wrong with him lately?"
Polly peered at Tommy for a moment. "If I knew, I'd buy the cure from Compton's chemist."
Tommy grabbed his coat from a chair. All eyes were on him now. There was no explaining happening today, but perhaps the day after tomorrow.
"You're broken up pretty bad, Arthur. Why don't you let nurse Ada do her work." Tommy made to leave, but stopped before the door. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Tommy left the room.
Arthur growled. Polly clicked her tongue before yelling for him. "Tommy!"
Tommy ignored them.
In an alley, Tommy met Jeremiah again. The man's dreadlocks swayed as he turned to Tommy, and the latter offered him a smoke and a light.
"Thanks for the tip earlier. What do you see, Jimmy?"
"A lot of new coppers. They're looking for something, but the ranks don't know." Jeremiah blew smoke. "Our men inside are half-assing it, but it won't be long until they find something."
Tommy looked around and handed the man a half pound note. Jeremiah pocketed it and put out his smoke.
"What's going on, Tommy?"
"Nothing to worry about. I just need you to keep yours ears and eyes open and your mouth shut."
Jeremiah stilled and salutes a bemused Tommy. He had never liked pulling rank, but these men that followed him and essentially were his employees had respect for him. Likewise, Tommy respected them and knew they would be comrade in arms until all goes to shit.
"Yes sir, Sergeant Major."
Tommy left without saluting back.
AN: I will be mostly following Peaky Blinders' timeline for the next chapter or two, then a time skip after.
Harry's too young to do anything really, but eventually he will realize his uncle's not that perfect. Possibly a few run-ins with Campbell might change that though *shrugs*
We'll see :D