Start Simple
Imladris often played host to guests seeking assistance from the elves, be it medical, academic, political or Legolas couldn't take being around Thrandiul for much longer than five minutes without wishing to 'take his bow and shoot off certain appendages that the Elven King of Mirkwood considered vital to his masculinity'.
So Lord Elrond was used to offering reassurance and patience to visitors. Given that these new arrivals had just been summoned (kidnapped) from their home world by Saruman then imprisoned/attacked for refusing to do Sauron's bidding and consequently rescued by an also imprisoned Gandalf via giant eagle – he felt they deserved it more than most.
Both he and Gandalf also felt it was best to get to the bottom of why Saruman had abused his powers so horribly just for the chance of being aided by these three teenagers. Yes, they had magic, but from what Harry, Ron and Hermione had said they came from a world full of wizards. Why not pick older, more experienced ones? What made them appear special in to him? They didn't want power, were utterly opposed to evil and had a strong sense of justice – these must have been flaws to someone like Saruman who had succumbed to Sauron's offers.
Only Gandalf, Glorfindel and he were present for the informal meeting in his study because he didn't want any of them overwhelmed by outnumbering them. Gandalf was present as a fellow wizard and escapee. Glorfindel, as the only elf to be returned from the Halls of Mandos, was someone whom may be able to emphasise with the strangers more than most. He was there because he was far too interested to delegate this particular task to Lindir, plus it was his study.
He examined the teenagers after introducing Glorfindel, puzzling over Saruman's choice. They looked to be opposites of each other. The unofficial leader appeared to be Harry, with hair as dark and messy as ruffled raven feathers and eyes a brilliant green he'd never seen before, that seemed to absorb details from around him. Hermione had a thick mane of light brown hair and brown eyes that had lingered on his bookshelf as she walked to the couch, cueing amused smirks from the boys. Ron, who was covered in freckles with the most ginger hair he'd ever seen and bright blue eyes, seemed very protective of the other two. They'd opted to sit together on a sofa over separating without hesitation. They each looked young but as a half-elf, he knew how looks could be deceiving in that area and their eyes showed experience in assessing their surroundings.
They were each polite, but restrained. Elrond needed his many years of experience to see the tension rolling off them but the signs were there, despite the mutual attempt to relax their body language. Harry sat far too still, Ron's ears were slightly pink and Hermione was gripping Ron's left hand with her right tightly. No doubt ready to reach their weapons in an instants notice.
"Knowing why Saruman picked each of you to summon to middle-earth may tell us a lot more about his plans than what he actually said aloud" Elrond began, "are you willing to share a little about your selves?"
"I think we can manage that, though I'm not sure where to begin to be honest" Harry responded carefully, but he smiled with real warmth and the other two relaxed slightly at his to tone.
Elrond smiled wider in response.
"Maybe we should with the basics, how old are you?" not wanting to pry too fast too soon
"17 – We just came of age in our world; we're in the same school year as well." Harry answered him again; Elrond filed away that he was unofficial spokesman of the group. He also felt it was a good sign that Harry offered more than the bare minimum of information in his answers.
"Your obviously very close to one another, how did you become friends?" he asked
For a second, each member of the trio seemed to shift a bit closer to one another in response to the question. Elrond was immediately intriqued and what with Gandalf chewing on his unlit pipe and Glorfindel leaning forward slightly, he could tell he wasn't alone. None had expected anything of importance this early.
"Ah, well, we met when we were eleven" Harry's green eyes flickered to his left where his friends sat; both wore smirks "Ron's older brothers's introduced us two on the train –pretty standard, to be honest" he began.
Ron had to look down with a cough that may have been a snort; Hermione seemed to fight down a grin at the sound. Harry seemed equally amused, but also with an odd mix of exasperation and trepidation. His face looked how Elrond suspected his own did after Gandalf made him do something dubious for the sake of an old friend and now he was considering the consequences.
"And Hermione?" Glorfindel prompted.
"Hermione, right," He seemed to steel himself slightly "does middle-earth have trolls?".