He could resort to blackmail or extortion, but only as a last resort. Potter wasn’t the kind to take being forced well, and Tom would rather not have to deal with the fallout. Plus, a small, shameful and lonely part of him protested, they’d lose the easy acquaintance they now had. There’d be no more friendly sniping and comfortable silences, and the willingness Potter showed at the Ministry Yule Ball to play along and advance Tom’s standing would completely disappear. As a general rule Tom didn’t listen to the pathetic, lonely boy inside himself yearning for a friend, but it was still there.