Disclaimer: I don't own Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas or the universe of Harry Potter, all rights to Joanne Rowling. I only own the plotline and the original characters; Isabelle Parker, Marley & Elodie Hart.

Rating: T

Word Count: 2936 words.

Summary: Seamus Finnegan had quite a number of chances to tell his best mate the way he felt – and he had missed every single one of them. After laying eyes on a familiar fourteen-year-old, Seamus was filled with rage and determination to saveher and Dean. He just didn't expect Isabelle Parker to hand him, a Time-Turner, to go back and he certainly hadn't expect George Weasley to grab his neck roughly when he'd lost concentration while spinning the hour-glass. Thrown into the past, Seamus is determined to tell Dean what he'd first set out to do when he, himself, had been merely fourteen; "I love you."

Warnings: Coarse language.

Ships: Seamus/Dean

Beta: Not, all mistakes are my own and I take responsibility for that.

A/N: I decided this also deserved a re-write. Enjoy! – El x

Chances

Prologue

"Hey, listen up you lot! I brought you a surprise."

Seamus looked up at the sound of Neville's voice and said, "Not more of Aberforth's cooking I hope. I'd be surprised if we could digest it!" His eyes looked behind Neville and began to widen. There behind Neville stood Harry, Hermione and Ron.

The Golden Trio.

The moment where everybody's prayers had been answered. They looked worn out and tired, but full of courage to take on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Seamus Finnegan attempted a small, relieved, smile at the time but it hadn't gone more than an inch upwards before it began to sting. His bottom lip was cracked on the left side, pouring out blood. He lifted his left hand up and began wiping the blood, before it could trickle too far down.

Seamus was running in the battlefield, looking for one person in particular. His legs were staring to hurt, and his feet were beginning to slow down. His heart was pumping a mile a minute as he frantically looked around. As an attempt to ignore the pain in his lip, he thought about the moment Dean Thomas had finally come home to him.

Two shadows appeared in the passageway, alarming everybody.

'Who are they?' People were asking and wondering whether they could trust them.

'Could they be Death Eaters?'

Everyone was terrified. These were dark times and not everybody was your ally, as they had all found out the hard way.

'Did we get sold out?'

All questions ceased as a tall, dark-skinned man, emerged. He had dark, bags under his eyes, appearing as if he hadn't slept in a while. He looked physically and mentally exhausted. His hair was longer than people remembered it. He looked much too skinny for the age he was supposed to be. His once deep, warm, brown eyes looked hard and cold.

It appeared he'd seen things that could never be unseen.

Seamus hardly recognised him.

He didn't look like the boy that had left him during the summer. He no longer looked like the boy who was running away but a man who was ready for war.

Beside him, stood Luna Lovegood.

She took her spot beside Neville Longbottom.

Seamus didn't care about the eyes on him, only that his home had come back for him. He walked slowly towards the one person he didn't realise he'd be on a mission to find later.

He needed to see him smile and hear his laugh.

When Dean Thomas' eyes met Seamus', a wide grin spread across his pink lips. His arms wrapped around the Irish boy in a bear hug.

"Seamus," he whispers with a hint of amusement in his voice, his deep brown eyes sparkling.

Seamus was currently running through the hallways of Hogwarts in an attempt to find him. He couldn't believe he'd lost sight of him earlier and that he still hadn't told the boy how much he loved him. He'd had countless chances and he didn't take them.

The first one was in their Fourth year, at the Qudditch Match; Ireland VS Bulgaria.

Dean laughed, shaking his head at his best friend. "I don't get how that could've happened, Sea ('Shay')."

"Easy, ye just have to."

Seamus moved his hands in front of the light emitting from Dean's wand, attempting to make an animal out of his hands. The more he failed, the more the two of them erupted in fits of giggles. The animals appeared bigger in the shadows, but it was clear Seamus wasn't very good at this.

In this moment, he realised to himself he was beginning to feel things for the other boy, in ways he really shouldn't. It was becoming stronger as the moments went by. They were tangled in the sheets, shirts off and laughing as if there wasn't a care in the world. He'd tried for a while to push them back, but it was becoming impossible. It was even harder when Dean beamed at him like he was pretty happy to be there too.

It was almost a perfect moment to confess one's true feelings.

They'd had a few butterbeers and were simply enjoying their time together.

"Cheers to a good win!"

They clicked their butterbeers together with a roar of laughter.

"Dean, I," Seamus started but he was cut off by the sounds of screams. His mother came into the room, looking extremely worried.

"Death Eaters!"

They bolted upright, and their butterbeers fell to the ground.

They grabbed everything they could hold and took off running as fast as their little legs could take them.

Seamus held Dean's hand the entire time, blaming it on 'we can't get lost, me mam would kill me'.

The only wish the Irish boy had, was that he'd confessed his feelings before things had become dangerous at the time. If he had admitted the way he felt before, then he wouldn't be running in the middle of a battle friend, trying to find him right now. He had his wand on him, but he was barely blocking the spells. All he could think about was that Dean was perfect, kind, loyal and amazing. His chance for fifth year was lost as well.

"Sea, you all right, mate?"

Seamus hated to be addressed by that title. It felt like a jab to his heart these days. He was starting to see that Dean was so much more than his mate. He'd liked him for a while now and it was becoming a problem for him.

Dean took a seat beside him, smiling at him. "Harry will come around," he said, nudging Seamus' shoulder. "He will understand why you are sticking by your mum."

"She's me mam, Dean."

"I'm not asking you to go against her. She's done so much for you. Harry will see that one day."

Seamus had told Dean the truth about his parents. He told him he was quite happy they were divorcing because his father was a horrid man. He had sworn he'd never forgive his father for what he'd done to his mother.

If she supported the ministry, so did Seamus.

"Seamus," Dean started but Seamus had cut him off, "Harry is obviously barmy."

Dean sighed but he chose not to push it. He'd always stand by Seamus. Their friendship was important to the both of them.

Seamus didn't have the heart to tell him how he felt for real so he took off running.

Seamus Finnegan was a coward and it was obvious. He'd chickened out when he really shouldn't have. As he turned around, a Death Eater was approaching. He aimed his wand, shouting; "Stupefy!"

It wasn't much later that he'd noticed the faces they were losing in the battle; The Lupins. They had a son and hadn't deserved to die so early on. Seamus felt bad, but he wondered to himself, if he and Dean would be as happy as them two in the future. He remembers the last chance he had to tell Dean Thomas how much he loved him and he couldn't quite do it.

Dean had been staying at Seamus' house all summer. They often did sleep overs. This particular morning, they were sleeping in. They'd gone to bed quite late because Dean had stayed up to read the news. He had refused to put it down which frustrated Seamus.

Before they'd fallen asleep, Seamus had attempted to tell the boy how much he loved him.

"Dean?"

"Hm."

"Would ye have a problem if I was…"

"Spit it out, mate."

The 'mate' hurt more this time than it ever had. Seamus' feelings were so much more than a little now.

"Would ye mind, if I was gay?"

Dean's head had shot up and it made Seamus wonder if he'd said the wrong thing. Dean didn't move his arm away from Seamus' waist and he didn't look repulsed.

With a gentle smile, he spoke; "I don't mind, let's get some sleep now, Sea."

Seamus remembers it being the best sleep of his life, because Dean had his arm around him all night.

That was the last proper conversation they would have in months.

In the morning, Seamus had to say his goodbyes as Dean explained he had to go into hiding.

He'd cried for a week before school had started and his mother was becoming rather worried about him.

Dean took Seamus' heart with him and he had no idea.

Seamus regretted letting him leave so easily but he didn't have a choice. He'd come back to do his seventh year with sadness. There was only Neville and him in the common room. They got extremely close over the year and Neville had admitted to being in love with Luna. Seamus, sheepishly, admitted he loved Dean too.

They made a pact to tell the ones they loved about their affections.

Neville had grown in time and Seamus was proud of the man he'd become that year. He was definitely going to get the girl, Seamus thought.

All of the corridors blended in together amongst the rubble. The colours and walls seemed the same to Seamus. His vision was starting to blur because he couldn't give up. He had to keep running. He threw a few hexes towards the Death Eaters as he noticed they were surrounding a young girl.

"Sod off!"

He threw in a few more spells before approaching the girl. "Are you okay?" He asked, swallowing. This was a dangerous place for fourth years. "Yes," the girl said, "I'm Marley. Thank you."

"Seamus. Let's find you someone to apparate you out of here."

Marley Hart nodded before turning around the corner with a flash of golden, blonde hair in her wake.

Seamus turned around, narrowly missing a jet of green light. He duelled with the Death Eater for a while, nobody letting up too quickly. It was becoming quite clear it would be a fight to the death. He fought with everything he had, so he could stay alive and tell Dean the truth.

The man shot a spell that Seamus didn't recognise, and it hit him lose to his eye. The wound was getting deeper as time progressed. He hit a spell back quickly, moaning in pain when another one sliced his leg open. Despite the fact Seamus was now limping, he managed to come out victorious. He smiled widely, feeling completely stupid about the fact he nearly died.

Seamus stopped limping when he saw another death eater shooting spells at someone he recognised all too well. The duel was intense, and Seamus stood frozen, paralysed in fear. He couldn't move a muscle, despite his attempts.

It was too late when Seamus realised it was Antonin Dolohov who shot the killing spell at the love of his life. Before Seamus could react, Dolohov was gone, and Dean was lying motionless. He fell on his knees, looking down at Dean's lifeless body. He wanted to scream, he wanted revenge.

"Dean," he sobbed, clutching him close to his chest.

'I never told you how much I loved you,' he thought with sadness. Tears trailed down his cheeks as he ignored the battlefield around him. Nothing mattered if Dean wasn't around anymore.

'If I ever see Dolohov again, I vow to kill him and show him no mercy – as he has done so kindly to Dean – I vow against my magic and my life.'

Seamus Finnegan was out for blood. He felt as if he had nothing left in this world, nothing left to fight for. Dean was the person who always made him smile and who consistently had this back through everything. He was Seamus' life support.

Who would pester Seamus to do his homework?

Who would laugh and say, "Same old, Sea?"

Seamus frowned, "I love you," he whispered. He missed his chance again but that didn't mean he couldn't say it now, after all this time.

Some time passed before Neville found him there.

"Mate, it's time to go inside. We all lost someone tonight, you're not alone. We will mourn his death," Neville whispered, frowning. Seamus looked up, letting Dean fall from his arms. "But he's gone, Neville," he sobbed. Neville nodded, helping the boy up. He understood, and he wasn't taking that away from Seamus.

"What am I to do with me self?"

"Love him every day, despite his absence, but move on in time. He'd want you to."

Seamus vowed to love him every day but to never move on.

Neville began hovering Dean's body as they walked back to the Great Hall. Seamus was sniffling, eyes blood-shot red. Everyone turned to find out who else was adding to the list of the dead. Seamus felt sick to his stomach.

"Neville, who is that?"

Seamus felt like crying all over again. He blamed himself for Dean's death.

"It's Dean," Seamus said, struggling for words. Ginny Weasley's face fell, and Seamus felt a burning desire to strangle her. She never really cared for Dean, only Seamus did. Ginny covered her mouth with her hand, tears falling down her cheeks. People were starting to give Seamus pitying looks and he couldn't take it anymore. He glared back and stormed off.

"Blood, get back here, you prat!"

Seamus couldn't go back, no matter how much he knew Neville would be there for him.

"I didn't know that you would be here – I'll go if you wish."

Seamus turned around and there stood George Weasley, one half of the Weasley Twins. They were the funniest growing up.

"Nah, sit, it's okay," Seamus said, frowning. "Are you okay?" George asked and Seamus struggled, "I don't know; I lost my other half today," he said. George frowned, ruffling his bright, fire-red, hair, "I lost mine too," he said. He shuffled a bit, "I don't think they'd both want us wallowing away, though. They'd want us to move on and find happiness somewhere. It'll take time but I'm sure we will eventually," he mumbled.

"George, I loved him. I wanted to be with him," Seamus commented, casually, feeling a bit hollow inside. George nodded, "It all mistakes sense now. Come on Finn, we should probably head back now," he said. Seamus chuckled a little bit it didn't reach his eyes, "Did you just call me 'Finn' like a fish?" He asked. George nodded, "Not like a fish, Finn for the start of your last name. I'm too lazy to say it all," he said, shrugging.

"Lazy git."

George grinned back with a shrug.

Maybe they'd be okay after all, even if it would take them a long time.

Together, they walked back to the Great Hall and everyone's eyes were on them. Their eyes were red and puffy, as if they'd both been crying. George re-joined his family quickly. Seamus' eyes quickly caught sight of a stretcher with an all too familiar girl on it.

Marley Hart was lying down on it, her golden hair, sprayed out on the stiff pillow. Her eyes were closed, and her hands were resting on her stomach. She looked as if she was only sleeping but by judging by her carbon copy sobbing beside her bed, Seamus knew they weren't sleeping. He felt sick to his stomach, he should've walked her back to someone or he should've helped her himself.

She was far too young to be a casualty in this war.

Elodie Hart sobbed for her sister, "She was just a little girl. She didn't deserve this," she said. Seamus remembered her as a Hufflepuff. She'd been George's year level. She looked up, her fierce, forest-green eyes, bored into Seamus in a way that made him fear for his life. The girl beside Elodie, had long, curly, brown hair and she was shaking her head at Seamus. "You can't do anything, Finnegan. But thank you," she said.

Seamus headed off once more, realising that Marley's death was wrong. She was too young to die. The Harts had been blood traitors for as long as Seamus had known them, and they had always publicly supported the light.

A hand on his shoulder made him turn around. He pointed his wand at the girl, remembering her. He lowered it for a fraction. "What do you want?" He asked, feeling completely hopeless. The girl smiled, "I'm Isabelle Parker," she said, outstretching her hand, to show she was no threat. "If you wish to change the outcome, Finnegan, then I know just how to help," she commented, grimacing a little. Seamus lowered his wand, feeling intrigued. "Take this," Isabelle said, handing him something in his hands. "Spin it the number of times needed. I'm sure you're aiming to save more than just little Marley. Thomas too, correct? That was about three hours ago, so give it about five spins. If you spin it six times though, you might save more lives than you bargained for."

Seamus had never held a time-turner before. It was the first time for a lot things it seemed. He watched her retreating figure as he thought about her proposal. Without a clue on why she wanted to help, he began spinning it. He decided he'd spin it eight times to be safe, perhaps he could save whoever Isabelle's lost love one is. He thought he was doing a good thing.

However, the Irish boy had never been one to concentrate which had always been clear to his best friend, Dean.

Perhaps he span it way too many times.

The last thing he felt was a hand around his neck and then a familiar voice shout out; "What the fuck are you doing?"