The verdict came in Thursday night in Borders cafe in the trial of Severus Snape, a character described as one of the most intriguing in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

Employees from Borders, Lawrence Public Library and Free State Studios role-played several characters for the trial.

“Snape is the most enigmatic in Harry Potter novels,” said Annie Huseman, Borders employee. “You’ve never been able to tell if he’s on the side of good or bad.”

About 40 Potter fans of all ages voted Snape guilty of being loyal to the evil character, and Potter’s nemesis, Voldemort.

No one will know the true answer until July 21, when the seventh and final novel in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” is released.

David Brown, 12, who has read the first six books in the series, predicts an ending to the series and Snape’s role.

“I don’t think he has the heart to be loyal to Voldemort, and I don’t think he has enough good in him to side with Harry,” David said. “I think Snape will save Harry, and Harry will have to sacrifice his life to get rid of Voldemort.”

David said he will be in line at Borders to find out for himself when the book is released just after midnight July 21.

Lawrence Public Library employee Camille Lechliter played Judge Molly Weasley. She said she was prompted to begin reading the series when a young boy requested the fourth book while she was working at the library’s reference desk.

“He said he couldn’t wait for it, so I thought, ‘I should check this out,'” she said.

She wasn’t disappointed.

“From an adult standpoint, there are millions of details,” she said of why the series intrigues an audience of varied ages. She also said character depth and suspense have kept her reading.

Borders will have a Grand Hallows Ball at 9:30 p.m. July 20 on the night of the release, which will include activities, games and prizes for best costumes.